Premium
Kinetic studies on elemental sulfur oxidation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans : Sulfur limitation and activity of free and adsorbed bacteria
Author(s) -
Ceskova Pavla,
Mandl Martin,
Helanova Sarka,
Kasparovska Jitka
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.10172
Subject(s) - sulfur , chemistry , bacteria , sulfur metabolism , adsorption , inorganic chemistry , bacterial growth , kinetics , organic chemistry , biology , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics
The kinetics of sulfur oxidation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in shaking flasks and a 10‐L reactor was studied. The observed linearity of growth and sulfur oxidation was explained by sulfur limitation. Total cell yield was not significantly different for exponential growth as compared to growth during the sulfur‐limiting phase. Kinetic studies of sulfur oxidation by growing and nongrowing bacteria indicated that both free and adsorbed bacteria oxidize sulfur. Changes in the number of free bacteria rather than cells adsorbed on sulfur were better predictors of the kinetics of sulfur oxidation, indicating that the free bacteria were performing sulfur oxidation. The active growth phase always followed adsorption of bacteria on sulfur; however, the special metabolic role of adsorbed bacteria was unclear. Their activity in sulfur solubilization was considered. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 78: 24–30, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10172