Heterotrophic nitrification by Alcaligenes faecalis: NO2-, NO3-, N2O, and NO production in exponentially growing cultures.
Heterotrophic nitrification by Alcaligenes faecalis DSM 30030 was not restricted to media containing organic forms of nitrogen. In both peptone-meat extract and defined media with ammonium and citrate as the sole nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively, NO2-, NO3-, NO, and N2O were produced under aerobic growth conditions. Heterotrophic nitrification was not attributable to old or dying cell populations. Production of NO2-, NO3-, NO, and N2O was detectable shortly after cultures started growth and proceeded exponentially during the logarithmic growth phase. NO2- and NO3- production rates were higher for cultures inoculated in media with pH values below 7 than for those in media at alkaline pH. Neither assimilatory nor dissimilatory nitrate or nitrite reductase activities were detectable in aerobic cultures.
Fraunhofer-Institute for Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Federal Republic of Germany.
H
H
Papen
R
R
von Berg
I
I
Hinkel
B
B
Thoene
H
H
Rennenberg
D000332:Aerobiosis; D000421:Alcaligenes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000643:Ammonium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D002951:Citrates / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000378:metabolism
D002951:Citrates; D003470:Culture Media; D009573:Nitrites; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D000643:Ammonium Chloride; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009609:Nitrous Oxide