Assimilatory reduction of sulfate and sulfite by methanogenic bacteria.
A variety of sulfur-containing compounds were investigated for use as medium reductants and sulfur sources for growth of four methanogenic bacteria. Sulfide (1 to 2 mM) served all methanogens investigated well. Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus and Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg and delta H grew well with S0, SO3(2-), or thiosulfate as the sole sulfur source. Only Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus was able to grow with SO4(2-) as the sole sulfur source. 2-Mercaptoethanol at 20 mM was greatly inhibitory to growth of Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus on SO4(2-) or SO2(2-) and Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg on SO3(2-) but not to growth of strain delta H on SO3(2-). Sulfite was metabolized during growth by Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus. Sulfide was produced in cultures of Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus growing on SO4(2-), SO3(2-), thiosulfate, and S0. Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg was successfully grown in a 10-liter fermentor with S0, SO3(2-), or thiosulfate as the sole sulfur source.
Daniels
L
L
Belay
N
N
Rajagopal
B S
BS
D019605:Euryarchaeota / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000378:metabolism; D013447:Sulfites / Q000378:metabolism*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism; D013885:Thiosulfates / Q000378:metabolism
D013431:Sulfates; D013440:Sulfides; D013447:Sulfites; D013885:Thiosulfates; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D013455:Sulfur