Open AccessEnergetics and kinetics of anaerobic aromatic and fatty acid degradation. Progress report, November 1993--November 1994
Author(s) -
Michael J. McInerney
Publication year - 1994
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/79062
Subject(s) - anaerobic exercise , chemistry , kinetics , kinetic energy , degradation (telecommunications) , energetics , enzyme kinetics , metabolism , hydrogen , enzyme , thermodynamics , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , physiology , physics , computer science , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , active site
Factors influencing the rate and extent of benzoate degradation by the anaerobic syntrophic consortia were studied. Nonlinear regression analysis showed that the cause of the benzoate threshold was not a diminished benzoate degradation capacity. Analysis of cocultures with hydrogen users that differed in their hydrogen utilization capacities showed that the threshold did not depend on the kinetic properties of the syntrophic partner. These data support a thermodynamic explanation for the threshold, and exclude the possibility that a change in the affinity of the enzyme system due to acetate inhibition caused the threshold. Modeling studies showed that the threshold value could be predicted from the concentrations of the end products, assuming a critical Gibb`s free energy value. This work shows that interspecies acetate transfer is important in controlling the extent of metabolism by syntrophic organisms