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ON THE GROWTH AND RESPIRATION OF SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA.

S A Waksman¹, R L Starkey

¹Department of Soil Chemistry and Bacteriology, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Stations, New Brunswick.

The Journal of General Physiology

|October 30, 2009

Summary

Sulfomonas thiooxidans completely oxidizes sulfur compounds to sulfuric acid, utilizing atmospheric carbon dioxide for energy. This acid-tolerant bacterium thrives in acidic conditions and its sulfur oxidation rate correlates with sulfur concentration.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biochemistry
Environmental Science

Background:

Sulfomonas thiooxidans is a unique sulfur-oxidizing bacterium.
Understanding its metabolic capabilities and environmental tolerances is crucial for industrial and environmental applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the complete oxidation of sulfur compounds by Sulfomonas thiooxidans.
To determine the organism's carbon assimilation pathways and energy conversion efficiency.
To assess the influence of environmental factors on its growth and sulfur oxidation activity.

Main Methods:

Culturing Sulfomonas thiooxidans with elementary sulfur and sodium thiosulfate as energy sources.
Measuring sulfur oxidation products (sulfuric acid, sulfate) and carbon assimilation from CO2.
Evaluating the effects of varying concentrations of sulfates, nitrates, sulfuric acid, dextrose, and peptone.
Determining optimal pH and growth conditions.

Main Results:

Sulfomonas thiooxidans completely oxidizes elementary sulfur and sodium thiosulfate to sulfuric acid and sulfate, respectively.
The organism assimilates carbon solely from atmospheric CO2, with distinct S:C ratios for different sulfur sources.
It exhibits high tolerance to sulfuric acid and thrives in a pH range of 2.0-5.5.
Nitrates are inhibitory, while sulfates have minimal impact; peptone is inhibitory at low concentrations.

Conclusions:

Sulfomonas thiooxidans is a highly efficient and acid-tolerant sulfur oxidizer with a specific mode of carbon assimilation.
Its metabolic activity is influenced by substrate availability and chemical inhibitors.
The study provides insights into the bioenergetics and environmental adaptability of this important chemolithoautotroph.