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Characteristics of hydrogen bacteria
Author(s) -
Repaske Roy
Publication year - 1966
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.260080204
Subject(s) - bacteria , biochemistry , cytochrome , flavin group , hydrogen , oxygen , organism , chemistry , enzyme , hydrogen molecule , hydrogen peroxide , biology , organic chemistry , genetics
Abstract A brief review of the development of our knowledge about hydrogen bacteria is presented, with emphasis on the characteristics and physiological differences of various Hydrogenomonas species. One species, Hydrogenomonas eutropha , is discussed in greater detail. Nutritional requirements, physical factors affecting growth, and equipment used for culturing 100‐ml. shake cultures and 15‐1.mass cultures of H. eutropha are described. Cell‐free extracts of H. eutropha carry out the oxyhydrogen reaction as demonstrated by the alternate reduction and oxidation of endogenous flavins and cytochromes by molecular hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. Spectra of cell‐free extracts of this organism show the presence of cytochromes of the c and b 1 types. A cytochrome of the o type was also found, but none of the a cytochromes were detected. The sum of a series of enzymatic reactions shown to be catalyzed by these extracts can account for the oxidation of hydrogen by oxygen.