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Characterization of precipitates formed by H2S-producing, Cu-resistant Firmicute isolates of Tissierella from human gut and Desulfosporosinus from mine waste

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize precipitates formed in anaerobic, H2S-producing cultures of two Tissierella isolates and Desulfosporosinus strain DB. The cultures were grown in Cu-containing media as part of a larger study of Cu resistance in anaerobic sulfidogens. The Tissierella strains produced H2S from peptone. Desulfosporosinus formed H2S from peptone or through dissimilatory sulfate reduction with lactate. Tissierella cultures precipitated iron phosphate, vivianite, but no crystalline phases or Cu sulfides were detected. Multiple Cu sulfides, including chalcopyrite and covellite, were detected in Desulfosporosinus cultures but vivianite was not formed. Ion microprobe spectra and electron microscopic examination showed major variation in the elemental composition and morphological differences depending on incubation conditions. Extended incubation time for at least 1–2 months increased the crystallinity of the precipitates. The results highlight biogeochemical differences in sulfide and phosphate precipitates between the two major groups of Firmicutes although they may share the same habitat including the human intestinal tract.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Anna Kozlova, Yuri Lopushniak and Andrei Miller for skillful technical assistance in SEM/EDS, XRD, and TEM analyses. This study was supported by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science (Contract number 11.519.11.2011), the Russian Fund for Basic Research (RFBR 11-04-98076-r_sibir_a) to OVK, and the Russian President Grant MK-3489.2011.4 to AG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Tomsk State University, Lenina Prospekt 36, Tomsk, 634050, Russia

    Olga P. Ikkert, Anna L. Gerasimchuk, Polina A. Bukhtiyarova & Olga V. Karnachuk

  2. Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43221, USA

    Olli H. Tuovinen

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  1. Olga P. Ikkert
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  2. Anna L. Gerasimchuk
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  3. Polina A. Bukhtiyarova
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  4. Olli H. Tuovinen
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  5. Olga V. Karnachuk
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Correspondence to Olga V. Karnachuk.

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Ikkert, O.P., Gerasimchuk, A.L., Bukhtiyarova, P.A. et al. Characterization of precipitates formed by H2S-producing, Cu-resistant Firmicute isolates of Tissierella from human gut and Desulfosporosinus from mine waste. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 103, 1221–1234 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-013-9900-x

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