Formation of polythionates and their interrelationships during oxidation of thiosulfate by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.

Abstract

The metabolic pathway for the utilization of thiosulfate by the acidophilic chemoautotroph, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, has been examined by chromatographic and radiographic techniques. With suitable chemical controls, it was found that the major pathway involved 2 moles of thiosulfate passing to tetrathionate to trithionate regenerating 1 mole of thiosulfate concurrent with the production of 2 moles of sulfate. Thus, previous findings which demonstrate this pathway as far as trithionate, made with other thiobacilli, are sound despite recent documentation of the chemical interaction of various polythionates. The cyclical pathway, proposed here, explains some findings of other workers.