Open AccessChemolithoautotrophic growth on elemental sulfur (S°) and respiratory oxidation of S° by Thiobacillus versutus and another sulfur‐oxidizing bacterium
Author(s) -
Beffa Trello,
Berczy Margaret,
Aragno Michel
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04611.x
Subject(s) - thiosulfate , sulfur , tetrathionate , sulfite , thiobacillus , chemostat , microaerophile , chemistry , oxygen , oxidizing agent , inorganic chemistry , sulfide , sodium thiosulfate , bacteria , organic chemistry , biology , genetics
Thiobacillus versutus was shown to grow chemolithoautotrophically under microaerophilic conditions, with crystalline elemental sulfur (S°) and thiosulfate as sole electron source. The exponential growth rate on S° ( μ = 0.106 h −1 ) measured in batch culture was similar to the reported maximum growth rate on thiosulfate in chemostat cultures. The rates of thiosulfate, S° and sulfite oxidation were measured respirometrically using an oxygen electrode. During growth under air on thiosulfate, as well as under low oxygen pressure on S° and thiosulfate, a relatively strong sulfuroxidizing activity (SOA) was measured. The induction of the SOA on cells growing with thiosulfate and the similar growth rates on S° and thiosulfate strongly suggest that S° could be an important intermediate during thiosulfate utilization.