Open AccessAvailability, uptake and turnover of glycerol in hypersaline environments
Author(s) -
Oren Aharon
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1993.tb00012.x
Subject(s) - glycerol , biology , periodate , hydrazone , formaldehyde , dunaliella , chromatography , biochemistry , environmental chemistry , algae , botany , stereochemistry , chemistry
A sensitive assay for glycerol and other polyols was developed, based on periodate oxidation to formaldehyde, followed by a colorimetric assay with 3‐methyl‐2‐benzothiazolone hydrazone. Apparent glycerol concentrations thus measured in saltern crystallizer ponds were around 20–36 μM, while in the Dead Sea, during a Dunaliella bloom, values were up to 27 μM. However, these values probably overestimate the glycerol concentrations present, as shown by labeled glycerol uptake experiments. Values of [K + S n ] (natural concentration + affinity constant) in saltern ponds were as low as 0.76–1.4 μM, with V max values of 193–303 nmol 1 −1 h −1 , and turnover times between 2.6–7.2 h at 35°C. Similar measurements in the Dead Sea were: [K + S n ] 0.07–1.41 μM, V max values 160–426 nmol 1 −1 h −1 , and turnover times in the range of 0.45–3.3 h.