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Dissimilatory nitrate reduction in Clostridium tertium.
Zeitschrift Fur Allgemeine Mikrobiologie
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Adding nitrate to Clostridium tertium cultures significantly boosted energy production and cell yield by enabling more substrate-level phosphorylation. This enhanced energy metabolism also increased the growth rate of C. tertium.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Anaerobic Respiration
Background:
- Clostridium tertium is an anaerobic bacterium.
- Nitrate respiration can enhance energy production in some anaerobic bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of nitrate on the fermentation and energy metabolism of Clostridium tertium.
- To compare the response of C. tertium to nitrate with that of Clostridium perfringens.
Main Methods:
- Fermentation balance studies were conducted on C. tertium.
- Cultures were grown with and without nitrate in the growth medium.
Main Results:
- Nitrate reduction increased glucose energy production efficiency through additional substrate-level phosphorylation.
- C. tertium exhibited a 30% increase in cell yield with nitrate, compared to 20% in C. perfringens.
- C. tertium showed an increased growth rate in the presence of nitrate, unlike C. perfringens.
Conclusions:
- Clostridium tertium utilizes nitrate as an electron acceptor, enhancing its energy metabolism and growth.
- The observed increase in Y ATP in C. tertium is consistent with growth rate variations.
- Nitrate utilization as an electron acceptor may be common among nitrate-reducing anaerobic bacteria.