Sulfur oxidation by the iron bacterium Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans.

Abstract

Margalith, P. (Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.), Marvin Silver, and D. G. Lundgren. Sulfur oxidation by the iron bacterium Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans. J. Bacteriol. 92:1706-1709. 1966.-Sulfur and iron oxidation has been studied manometrically by use of Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans grown on either elemental sulfur or ferrous iron as the primary energy source. The iron-oxidizing enzyme was shown to be constitutive, since iron was oxidized as rapidly by sulfur-grown cells as by iron-grown cells. Sulfur-grown cells had a better capacity for oxidizing sulfur than did iron-grown cells; however, no lag in oxidation was seen in either case. The sulfur-oxidizing system was not inducible, and it is suggested that the different oxidative capacities are due to the heterogeneous mixture of cell types in the culture population.