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Reactivity versus flexibility in thiobacilli

R F Beudeker, J C Gottschal, J G Kuenen

    Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
    |January 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary

    Obligate chemolithotrophs like Thiobacillus neapolitanus thrive with intermittent sulfide supply due to rapid recovery. Facultative chemolithotrophs, such as Thiobacillus A2, require continuous organic and inorganic substrates for optimal growth.

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    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Environmental Science
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Chemolithotrophic bacteria play crucial roles in nutrient cycling.
    • Understanding the ecological niches of obligate and facultative chemolithotrophs is vital for microbial ecology.
    • Thiobacilli are key players in sulfur oxidation in various environments.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the ecophysiological differences between obligate and facultative chemolithotrophs.
    • To determine the competitive strategies of Thiobacillus neapolitanus under fluctuating substrate conditions.
    • To elucidate the metabolic flexibility of Thiobacillus A2 in response to varied nutrient availability.

    Main Methods:

    • Chemostat cultivation of Thiobacillus neapolitanus and Thiobacillus A2.
    • Controlled, fluctuating supply of sulfide, thiosulfate, sulfate, and acetate.
    • Monitoring of substrate utilization and bacterial growth rates.
    • Analysis of metabolic responses and oxidation capacities.

    Main Results:

    • Thiobacillus neapolitanus demonstrated high resistance to starvation periods, rapidly resuming sulfide oxidation.
    • Under fluctuating conditions, T. neapolitanus maintained low sulfide concentrations, indicating a reactive strategy.
    • Thiobacillus A2 exhibited metabolic flexibility, switching between heterotrophy and autotrophy, but showed reduced sulfide oxidation capacity during acetate supply.
    • Sulfide accumulation occurred in T.A2 cultures during sulfide periods due to decreased oxidation capacity.

    Conclusions:

    • Obligate chemolithotrophs like T. neapolitanus are adapted to environments with intermittent substrate availability.
    • Facultative chemolithotrophs such as T.A2 require continuous supply of both inorganic and organic substrates for sustained growth.
    • The distinct strategies of T. neapolitanus and T.A2 highlight their different ecological niches and competitive advantages.

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