Open AccessThe preferred electron acceptor of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans CSN
Author(s) -
Krekeler Daniel,
Cypionka Heribert
Publication year - 1995
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.1574-6941.1995.tb00151.x
Subject(s) - thiosulfate , sulfite , sulfur , electron acceptor , nitrate , sulfate , nitrite , desulfovibrio , inorganic chemistry , sulfate reducing bacteria , electron donor , ammonia , sulfur metabolism , oxygen , redox , chemistry , biochemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis
The sulfate‐reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain CSN (DSM 104) oxidized H 2 with thiosulfate, sulfate, sulfite, nitrite, nitrate and oxygen with rates increasing (in the order listed) from 20 to 525 nmol H 2 min −1 mg −1 protein. Nitrate reduction was induced by nitrate or limiting concentrations of sulfate during growth, while all other activities were constitutive. Oxygen prevented reduction of all other electron acceptors, while nitrate and nitrite blocked the reduction of the sulfur compounds. In the presence of H 2 and reduced sulfur compounds, H 2 was the preferred electron donor. The cells oxidized thiosulfate or sulfite coupled to the reduction of nitrate to ammonia. This represents a novel type of metabolism connecting the sulfur and nitrogen cycles. It is concluded that oxygen is the preferred electron acceptor of D. desulfuricans . Sulfate reduction in oxic environments must be due to different organisms or mechanisms.