1
|
Nyamath S, Subburamu K, Kalyanasundaram GT, Balachandar D, Suresh M, Anandham R. Multifarious characteristics of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria residing in rice rhizosphere. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024; 69:395-405. [PMID: 37505441 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-023-01080-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) are versatile microorganisms known for their ability to oxidize various reduced sulfur compounds, namely, elemental sulfur (S0), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), tetrathionate (S4O62-), and trithionate (S3O62-) to sulfate (SO42-). In this study, out of twelve SOB isolates from rice rhizosphere, five were screened based on their sulfur oxidation potential, viz., SOB1, SOB2, SOB3, SOB4, and SOB5, and were identified as Ochrobactrum soli SOB1, Achromobacter xylosoxidans SOB2, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia SOB3, Brucella tritici SOB4, and Stenotrophomonas pavanii SOB5, respectively. All the isolates displayed chemolithotrophic nutritional mode by consuming thiosulfate and accumulating trithionate and tetrathionate in the growth medium which is ultimately oxidized to sulfate. The strains were authenticated with the production of thiosulfate oxidizing enzymes such as rhodanese and sulfite oxidase. Despite their tendency to oxidize reduced sulfur compounds, B. tritici SOB4 and S. pavanii SOB5 were also found to possess phosphate and zinc solubilization potential, acetic acid, and indole acetic acid (IAA) production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. The presence of sulfanyl (R-SH) groups was noticed in the A. xylosoxidans SOB2. Elemental sulfur conversion into sulfate was noted in the S. maltophilia SOB3, and hydrogen sulfide conversion into sulfate was observed in the Ochromobacter soli SOB1. Sulfur oxidation potential coupled with beneficial properties of the isolates widen the knowledge on SOB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed Nyamath
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, 641003, India
| | - Karthikeyan Subburamu
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, 641003, India.
- Centre for Post-Harvest Technology, Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, 641003, India.
| | - Geetha Thanuja Kalyanasundaram
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, 641003, India
| | - Dananjeyan Balachandar
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, 641003, India
| | - Meena Suresh
- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Trichy, 620009, India
| | - Rangasamy Anandham
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, 641003, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dashtbin R, Mahmoudi N, Besharati H, Lalevic B. Identification of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from fishponds and their performance to remove hydrogen sulfide under aquarium conditions. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:3163-3172. [PMID: 37819610 PMCID: PMC10689329 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01128-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas that causes many economic losses in aquaculture ponds. The application of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) to remove hydrogen sulfide is an eco-friendly approach. This study aimed to isolate and identify the most efficient SOBs from the sediment of warm-water fish farms. Enrichment and isolation were performed in three different culture media (Starkey, Postgate, and H-3) based on both mineral and organic carbon. Overall, 27 isolates (14 autotrophic and 13 heterotrophic isolates) were purified based on colony and cell morphology differences. Initial screening was performed based on pH decrease. For final screening, the isolates were assessed based on their efficacy in thiosulfate oxidation and the sulfate production on Starkey liquid medium. Among isolated strains, 3 strains of Iran 2 (FH-13), Iran 3 (FH-21), and Iran 1 (FH-14) that belonged to Thiobacillus thioparus species (identified by 16s rRNA) showed the highest ability in thiosulfate oxidation (413.21, 1362.50, and 4188.03 mg/L for 14 days) and the highest sulfate production (3350, 2075, and 1600 mg/L). In the final phase, the performance of these strains under aquarium conditions showed that Iran 1 and Iran 2 had the highest ability in sulfur oxidation. In conclusion, Iran 1 and 2 strains can be used as effective SOB to remove hydrogen sulfide in fish farms. It is very important to evaluate strains in an appropriate strategy using a combination of different criteria to ensure optimal performance of SOB in farm conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rana Dashtbin
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nemat Mahmoudi
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hossein Besharati
- Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Blažo Lalevic
- Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade University, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Weimers K, Bergstrand KJ, Hultberg M, Asp H. Liquid Anaerobic Digestate as Sole Nutrient Source in Soilless Horticulture-Or Spiked With Mineral Nutrients for Improved Plant Growth. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:770179. [PMID: 35401605 PMCID: PMC8984193 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.770179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Digestate from biogas production high in plant-available macro- and micro-nutrients could replace mineral fertilizer in protected (soilless) horticulture. Previous uses of digestate have shown that low concentrations of plant-available phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) may be limiting factors for growth when using digestate as the sole fertilizer. In this study, digestate collected from a municipal biogas plant in Sweden was nitrified in a moving-bed biofilm reactor prior to its use as fertilizer. A greenhouse pot trial with pak choi grown in peat-based growing medium was established to assess the (i) macro- and micro-nutrient availability in the digestate, with particular focus on P and S and (ii) the effect of amending the digestate solution with nutrients considered to be lacking [P, S, magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo)]. The results showed that plants fertilized with raw digestate suffered from S and B deficiency and early P deficiency. Supplementing the digestate with nutrients originating from mineral salts resulted in sufficient plant tissue concentrations of all elements except S. The marketable yield was similar to that achieved using standard mineral fertilizer and the dry matter yield was 17% higher. In the light of the present results, the use of nitrified digestate in soilless plant production seems like a fruitful way forward to recycle organic nutrients from waste streams. In the case where a strict organic protocol is not needed, amendment with inorganic nutrients may be a way to increase the utilization of organically derived nutrients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Weimers
- The Federation of Swedish Farmers, Horticulture (LRF Trädgård), Höör, Sweden
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Karl-Johan Bergstrand
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Malin Hultberg
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Håkan Asp
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu LJ, Jiang Z, Wang P, Qin YL, Xu W, Wang Y, Liu SJ, Jiang CY. Physiology, Taxonomy, and Sulfur Metabolism of the Sulfolobales, an Order of Thermoacidophilic Archaea. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:768283. [PMID: 34721370 PMCID: PMC8551704 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.768283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The order Sulfolobales (phylum Crenarchaeota) is a group of thermoacidophilic archaea. The first member of the Sulfolobales was discovered in 1972, and current 23 species are validly named under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. The majority of members of the Sulfolobales is obligately or facultatively chemolithoautotrophic. When they grow autotrophically, elemental sulfur or reduced inorganic sulfur compounds are their energy sources. Therefore, sulfur metabolism is the most important physiological characteristic of the Sulfolobales. The functions of some enzymes and proteins involved in sulfur reduction, sulfur oxidation, sulfide oxidation, thiosulfate oxidation, sulfite oxidation, tetrathionate hydrolysis, and sulfur trafficking have been determined. In this review, we describe current knowledge about the physiology, taxonomy, and sulfur metabolism of the Sulfolobales, and note future challenges in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, the Xi'an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Ling Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Xu
- School of Basic Medical Science, the Xi'an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Wang
- School of Basic Medical Science, the Xi'an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Resources Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuang-Jiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng-Ying Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
This paper reviews the degradation, preservation and conservation of waterlogged archaeological wood. Degradation due to bacteria in anoxic and soft-rot fungi and bacteria in oxic waterlogged conditions is discussed with consideration of the effect on the chemical composition of wood, as well as the deposition of sulphur and iron within the structure. The effects on physical properties are also considered. The paper then discusses the role of consolidants in preserving waterlogged archaeological wood after it is excavated as well as issues to be considered when reburial is used as a means of preservation. The use of alum and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as consolidants is presented along with various case studies with particular emphasis on marine artefacts. The properties of consolidated wood are examined, especially with respect to the degradation of the wood post-conservation. Different consolidants are reviewed along with their use and properties. The merits and risks of reburial and in situ preservation are considered as an alternative to conservation.
Collapse
|
6
|
Fang Y, Yang K, Zhang Y, Peng C, Robledo-Cabrera A, López-Valdivieso A. Highly surface activated carbon to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution with adsorbent recycling. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111151. [PMID: 33844973 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To enhance the inferior removal capability of aqueous Cr(VI) by commercial activated carbon under neutral conditions. The emerging ball milling technology was employed and the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) by ball-milled highly activated carbon (HAC) increased from 68.3% to 99.0% under pH 6 and from 42.7% to 77.8% under pH 7 compared to pristine activated carbon (AC), respectively. Raman spectra and Boehm's titration results signified that the enhanced Cr(VI) removal performance of HAC under neutral conditions was associated with the enriched surface acid functional groups, in which the content of COOH groups increased from 0.31 mmol/g to 0.97 mmol/g. Two Cr(VI) removal mechanisms were proposed established on the acid and alkalic solution washed chromium-loaded HAC, involving the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) subsequently accompany with the formation of chromium hydroxides on the surface and inside the pores of HAC, and the bonding of CrO42- on the surface COOH groups, as confirmed by SEM-EDX element mapping and specific surface area and porosity measurements. The Pseudo-second order model and Freundlich model fitted the adsorption kinetic and isotherm of AC and HAC well severally, suggesting that the specific interaction of Cr(VI) with the HAC surface and the Cr(VI) removal was multi-layer adsorption. Thermodynamic study exhibited the spontaneity of Cr(VI) removal on ball-milled HAC was increased. Reusability and regeneration studies of HAC denoted the potential application on Cr(VI) uptake under neutral conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Fang
- Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, C.P, 78210, Mexico.
| | - Ke Yang
- Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, C.P, 78210, Mexico.
| | - Yipeng Zhang
- Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, C.P, 78210, Mexico.
| | - Changsheng Peng
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Zhaoqing Univerity, Zhaoqing, 526061, China.
| | - Aurora Robledo-Cabrera
- Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, C.P, 78210, Mexico.
| | - Alejandro López-Valdivieso
- Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, C.P, 78210, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Willard DJ, Kelly RM. Intersection of Biotic and Abiotic Sulfur Chemistry Supporting Extreme Microbial Life in Hot Acid. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:5243-5257. [PMID: 33979170 PMCID: PMC10562994 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Microbial life on Earth exists within wide ranges of temperature, pressure, pH, salinity, radiation, and water activity. Extreme thermoacidophiles, in particular, are microbes found in hot, acidic biotopes laden with heavy metals and reduced inorganic sulfur species. As chemolithoautotrophs, they thrive in the absence of organic carbon, instead using sulfur and metal oxidation to fuel their bioenergetic needs, while incorporating CO2 as a carbon source. Metal oxidation by these microbes takes place extracellularly, mediated by membrane-associated oxidase complexes. In contrast, sulfur oxidation involves extracellular, membrane-associated, and cytoplasmic biotransformations, which intersect with abiotic sulfur chemistry. This novel lifestyle has been examined in the context of early aerobic life on this planet, but it is also interesting when considering the prospects of life, now or previously, on other solar bodies. Here, extreme thermoacidophily (growth at pH below 4.0, temperature above 55 °C), a characteristic of species in the archaeal order Sulfolobales, is considered from the perspective of sulfur chemistry, both biotic and abiotic, as it relates to microbial bioenergetics. Current understanding of the mechanisms involved are reviewed which are further expanded through recent experimental results focused on imparting sulfur oxidation capacity on a natively nonsulfur oxidizing extremely thermoacidophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, through metabolic engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Willard
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Robert M. Kelly
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Olvera-Vargas H, Dubuc J, Wang Z, Coudert L, Neculita CM, Lefebvre O. Electro-Fenton beyond the Degradation of Organics: Treatment of Thiosalts in Contaminated Mine Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:2564-2574. [PMID: 33502180 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Electro-Fenton (EF) is an emerging technology with well-known outstanding oxidation power; yet, its application to the treatment of inorganic contaminants has been largely disregarded. Thiosalts are contaminants of emerging concern in mine water, responsible for delayed acidity in natural waterways. In this study, EF was used to treat thiosalts in synthetic and real mine water. Thiosulfate (S2O32-) solutions were first used to optimize the main parameters affecting the process, namely, the current density (2.08-6.25 mA cm-2), temperature (4 vs 20 °C), and S2O32- concentration (0.25-2 g L-1). S2O32- was almost completely removed in 2 h of treatment at 6.25 mA cm-2, while temperature played no important role in the process efficiency. The optimal conditions were then applied to treat a real sample of contaminated mine water, resulting in complete S2O32- and S4O62- oxidation to SO42- in 90 min at 6.25 mA cm-2 (95% removal in only 60 min). The reaction mechanisms were investigated in detail based on the quantification of the main degradation byproducts. This study opens new possibilities for EF application to the treatment of thiosalt-contaminated mine water and other oxidizable inorganic-impacted wastewaters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Olvera-Vargas
- Centre for Water Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Dr. 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
- Instituto de Energías Renovables, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IER-UNAM), Priv. Xochicalco S/N, Col. Centro, Temixco, Morelos 62580, Mexico
| | - Jennifer Dubuc
- Research Institute of Mines and Environment (RIME), University of Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec J9X 5E4, Canada
| | - Zuxin Wang
- Centre for Water Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Dr. 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Lucie Coudert
- Research Institute of Mines and Environment (RIME), University of Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec J9X 5E4, Canada
| | - Carmen Mihaela Neculita
- Research Institute of Mines and Environment (RIME), University of Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec J9X 5E4, Canada
| | - Olivier Lefebvre
- Centre for Water Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Dr. 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
- Research Institute of Mines and Environment (RIME), University of Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec J9X 5E4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Qian J, Bai L, Zhang M, Chen L, Yan X, Sun R, Zhang M, Chen GH, Wu D. Achieving rapid thiosulfate-driven denitrification (TDD) in a granular sludge system. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 190:116716. [PMID: 33290906 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) can drive a high level of autotrophic denitrification (AD) activity with thiosulfate (S2O32-) as the electron donor. However, the slow growth of SOB results in a low biomass concentration in the AD reactor and unsatisfactory biological nitrogen removal (BNR). In this study, our goal was to establish a high-rate thiosulfate-driven denitrification (TDD) system via sludge granulation. Granular sludge was successfully cultivated by increasing the nitrogen loading rate stepwise in thiosulfate-oxidizing/nitrate-reducing conditions in an upflow anaerobic blanket reactor. In the mature-granular-sludge reactor, a nitrate removal rate of 280 mg N/L/h was achieved with a nitrate removal efficiency of 97.7%±1.0% at a hydraulic retention time of only 15 minutes, with no nitrite detected in the effluent. Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) analysis indicated that the proteins in loosely bound and tightly bound EPS were responsible for maintaining the compact structure of the TDD granular sludge. The dynamics of the microbial-community shift were identified by 16S rRNA high-throughput pyrosequencing analysis. The Sulfurimonas genus was found to be enriched at 74.1% of total community and may play the most critical role in the high-rate BNR. The batch assay results reveal that no nitrite accumulation occurred during nitrate reduction because the nitrate reduction rate (75.90±0.67 mg N/g MLVSS/h) was almost equal to the nitrite reduction rate (66.06±1.28 mg N/g MLVSS/h) in the thiosulfate-driven granular sludge reactor. The results of this study provide support for the establishment of a high-rate BNR system that maintains its stability with a low sludge yield.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Qian
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Linqin Bai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingkuan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution (Hong Kong Branch) and Water Technology Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xueqian Yan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ran Sun
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meiting Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guang-Hao Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution (Hong Kong Branch) and Water Technology Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution (Hong Kong Branch) and Water Technology Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Camacho D, Frazao R, Fouillen A, Nanci A, Lang BF, Apte SC, Baron C, Warren LA. New Insights Into Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Sulfur Metabolism Through Coupled Gene Expression, Solution Chemistry, Microscopy, and Spectroscopy Analyses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:411. [PMID: 32231653 PMCID: PMC7082400 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we experimentally expand understanding of the reactions and enzymes involved in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans ATCC 19377 S0 andS 2 O 3 2 - metabolism by developing models that integrate gene expression analyzed by RNA-Seq, solution sulfur speciation, electron microscopy and spectroscopy. The A. thiooxidansS 2 O 3 2 - metabolism model involves the conversion ofS 2 O 3 2 - to SO 4 2 - , S0 andS 4 O 6 2 - , mediated by the sulfur oxidase complex (Sox), tetrathionate hydrolase (TetH), sulfide quinone reductase (Sqr), and heterodisulfate reductase (Hdr) proteins. These same proteins, with the addition of rhodanese (Rhd), were identified to convert S0 to SO 3 2 - ,S 2 O 3 2 - and polythionates in the A. thiooxidans S0 metabolism model. Our combined results shed light onto the important role specifically of TetH inS 2 O 3 2 - metabolism. Also, we show that activity of Hdr proteins rather than Sdo are likely associated with S0 oxidation. Finally, our data suggest that formation of intracellularS 2 O 3 2 - is a critical step in S0 metabolism, and that recycling of internally generated SO 3 2 - occurs, through comproportionating reactions that result inS 2 O 3 2 - . Electron microscopy and spectroscopy confirmed intracellular production and storage of S0 during growth on both S0 andS 2 O 3 2 - substrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Camacho
- School of Geography and Earth Science, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Rodolfo Frazao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aurélien Fouillen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Laboratory for the Study of Calcified Tissues and Biomaterials, Faculty of Dentistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Antonio Nanci
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Laboratory for the Study of Calcified Tissues and Biomaterials, Faculty of Dentistry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - B. Franz Lang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon C. Apte
- CSIRO, Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Christian Baron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lesley A. Warren
- School of Geography and Earth Science, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang Y, Sabba F, Bott C, Nerenberg R. Using kinetics and modeling to predict denitrification fluxes in elemental‐sulfur‐based biofilms. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:2698-2709. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.27094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesUniversity of Notre Dame Notre Dame Indiana
| | - Fabrizio Sabba
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringNorthwestern University Evanston Illinois
| | - Charles Bott
- Hampton Roads Sanitation District Virginia Beach Virginia
| | - Robert Nerenberg
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesUniversity of Notre Dame Notre Dame Indiana
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cui YX, Biswal BK, Guo G, Deng YF, Huang H, Chen GH, Wu D. Biological nitrogen removal from wastewater using sulphur-driven autotrophic denitrification. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:6023-6039. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09935-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
13
|
Wang Y, Zan F, Guo G, Hao T, Wang J, Chen G. A novel approach to quantifying elemental sulfur (S 0) in environmental samples. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2018; 2017:467-472. [PMID: 29851399 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2018.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The quantification of elemental sulfur (S0) is an important part of monitoring and controlling sulfur-involving processes. Existing methods of S0 detection either require significant time or involve the use of toxic chemicals. We have developed and validated a new method to determine S0 in environmental samples using calorimeter-ion chromatography (IC), in which S0 is fully oxidized to sulfur trioxide (SO3) with pure oxygen at 20 atm in a calorimeter. The resulting SO3 is then absorbed by a sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solution and analyzed using IC. To verify this method, standard samples with various sulfur contents (5-200 mg S), possible interfering substances (SO42-, SO32-, S2O32- and S2-), and mixed environmental samples were tested and compared. The high correlation of R2 = 0.999 between the examined and theoretical values was obtained with a high recovery rate of ≥95% and a low relative standard deviation (RSD) of ≤1%. Samples containing at least 25 mg of S0 were accurately measured (recovery error < 5%). Thiosulfate was identified as the main interfering substance, and pretreatment was needed to eliminate it. This new method is more efficient, cost-effective, easier to operate, and more secure and accurate than existing methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China E-mail:
| | - Feixiang Zan
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China E-mail:
| | - Gang Guo
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China E-mail:
| | - Tianwei Hao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China E-mail: ; Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China E-mail:
| | - Guanghao Chen
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China E-mail: ; Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China and Wastewater Treatment Laboratory, FYT Graduate School, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nansha, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Valle A, Fernández M, Ramírez M, Rovira R, Gabriel D, Cantero D. A comparative study of eubacterial communities by PCR-DGGE fingerprints in anoxic and aerobic biotrickling filters used for biogas desulfurization. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2018; 41:1165-1175. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-018-1945-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
15
|
Stelmach KB, Neveu M, Vick-Majors TJ, Mickol RL, Chou L, Webster KD, Tilley M, Zacchei F, Escudero C, Flores Martinez CL, Labrado A, Fernández EJG. Secondary Electrons as an Energy Source for Life. ASTROBIOLOGY 2018; 18:73-85. [PMID: 29314901 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Life on Earth is found in a wide range of environments as long as the basic requirements of a liquid solvent, a nutrient source, and free energy are met. Previous hypotheses have speculated how extraterrestrial microbial life may function, among them that particle radiation might power living cells indirectly through radiolytic products. On Earth, so-called electrophilic organisms can harness electron flow from an extracellular cathode to build biomolecules. Here, we describe two hypothetical mechanisms, termed "direct electrophy" and "indirect electrophy" or "fluorosynthesis," by which organisms could harness extracellular free electrons to synthesize organic matter, thus expanding the ensemble of potential habitats in which extraterrestrial organisms might be found in the Solar System and beyond. The first mechanism involves the direct flow of secondary electrons from particle radiation to a microbial cell to power the organism. The second involves the indirect utilization of impinging secondary electrons and a fluorescing molecule, either biotic or abiotic in origin, to drive photosynthesis. Both mechanisms involve the attenuation of an incoming particle's energy to create low-energy secondary electrons. The validity of the hypotheses is assessed through simple calculations showing the biomass density attainable from the energy supplied. Also discussed are potential survival strategies that could be used by organisms living in possible habitats with a plentiful supply of secondary electrons, such as near the surface of an icy moon. While we acknowledge that the only definitive test for the hypothesis is to collect specimens, we also describe experiments or terrestrial observations that could support or nullify the hypotheses. Key Words: Radiation-Electrophiles-Subsurface life. Astrobiology 18, 73-85.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamil B Stelmach
- 1 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University , Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Marc Neveu
- 2 School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Trista J Vick-Majors
- 3 Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University , Bozeman, Montana, USA
- 4 Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal , Montréal, Canada
| | - Rebecca L Mickol
- 5 Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, University of Arkansas , Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Luoth Chou
- 6 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kevin D Webster
- 7 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona, USA
- 8 School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Matt Tilley
- 9 Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Federica Zacchei
- 10 Instituut voor Sterrenkunde, University of Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Amanda Labrado
- 13 Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Csekő G, Pan C, Gao Q, Ji C, Horváth AK. Autocatalytic Oxidation of Trithionate by Iodate in a Strongly Acidic Medium. J Phys Chem A 2017; 121:8189-8196. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.7b06796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- György Csekő
- School
of Chemical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 2221111, Jiangsu Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Changwei Pan
- School
of Chemical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 2221111, Jiangsu Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingyu Gao
- School
of Chemical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 2221111, Jiangsu Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen Ji
- School
of Chemical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 2221111, Jiangsu Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Attila K. Horváth
- Department
of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 6, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Balci N, Brunner B, Turchyn AV. Tetrathionate and Elemental Sulfur Shape the Isotope Composition of Sulfate in Acid Mine Drainage. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1564. [PMID: 28861071 PMCID: PMC5562728 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur compounds in intermediate valence states, for example elemental sulfur, thiosulfate, and tetrathionate, are important players in the biogeochemical sulfur cycle. However, key understanding about the pathways of oxidation involving mixed-valance state sulfur species is still missing. Here we report the sulfur and oxygen isotope fractionation effects during the oxidation of tetrathionate (S4O62-) and elemental sulfur (S°) to sulfate in bacterial cultures in acidic conditions. Oxidation of tetrathionate by Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans produced thiosulfate, elemental sulfur and sulfate. Up to 34% of the tetrathionate consumed by the bacteria could not be accounted for in sulfate or other intermediate-valence state sulfur species over the experiments. The oxidation of tetrathionate yielded sulfate that was initially enriched in 34S (ε34SSO4-S4O6) by +7.9‰, followed by a decrease to +1.4‰ over the experiment duration, with an average ε34SSO4-S4O6 of +3.5 ± 0.2‰ after a month of incubation. We attribute this significant sulfur isotope fractionation to enzymatic disproportionation reactions occurring during tetrathionate decomposition, and to the incomplete transformation of tetrathionate into sulfate. The oxygen isotope composition of sulfate (δ18OSO4) from the tetrathionate oxidation experiments indicate that 62% of the oxygen in the formed sulfate was derived from water. The remaining 38% of the oxygen was either inherited from the supplied tetrathionate, or supplied from dissolved atmospheric oxygen (O2). During the oxidation of elemental sulfur, the product sulfate became depleted in 34S between -1.8 and 0‰ relative to the elemental sulfur with an average for ε34SSO4-S0 of -0.9 ± 0.2‰ and all the oxygen atoms in the sulfate derived from water with an average normal oxygen isotope fractionation (ε18OSO4-H2O) of -4.4‰. The differences observed in δ18OSO4 and the sulfur isotope composition of sulfate (δ34SSO4), acid production, and mixed valence state sulfur species generated by the oxidation of the two different substrates suggests a metabolic flexibility in response to sulfur substrate availability. Our results demonstrate that microbial processing of mixed-valence-state sulfur species generates a significant sulfur isotope fractionation in acidic environments and oxidation of mixed-valence state sulfur species may produce sulfate with characteristic sulfur and oxygen isotope signatures. Elemental sulfur and tetrathionate are not only intermediate-valence state sulfur compounds that play a central role in sulfur oxidation pathways, but also key factors in shaping these isotope patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nurgul Balci
- Geomicrobiolog-Biogeochemistry Lab, Department of Geological Engineering, Istanbul Technical UniversityIstanbul, Turkey
| | - Benjamin Brunner
- Department of Biogeochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Marine MicrobiologyBremen, Germany
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shen C, Xia DH, Fan HQ, Behnamian Y, Afacan A, Klimas SJ, Luo JL. Passivation Degradation of Alloy 800 in Boiling Solution Containing Thiosulphate. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
19
|
Selenium and Sulfur to Produce Allium Functional Crops. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22040558. [PMID: 28358332 PMCID: PMC6154330 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22040558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Selenium is an element that must be considered in the nutrition of certain crops since its use allows the obtaining of biofortified crops with a positive impact on human health. The objective of this review is to present the information on the use of Se and S in the cultivation of plants of the genus Allium. The main proposal is to use Allium as specialist plants for biofortification with Se and S, considering the natural ability to accumulate both elements in different phytochemicals, which promotes the functional value of Allium. In spite of this, in the agricultural production of these species, the addition of sulfur is not realized to obtain functional foods and plants more resistant; it is only sought to cover the necessary requirements for growth. On the other hand, selenium does not appear in the agronomic management plans of most of the producers. Including S and Se fertilization as part of agronomic management can substantially improve Allium crop production. Allium species may be suitable to carry out biofortification with Se; this practice can be combined with the intensive use of S to obtain crops with higher production and sensory, nutritional, and functional quality.
Collapse
|
20
|
Counts JA, Zeldes BM, Lee LL, Straub CT, Adams MWW, Kelly RM. Physiological, metabolic and biotechnological features of extremely thermophilic microorganisms. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 9. [PMID: 28206708 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current upper thermal limit for life as we know it is approximately 120°C. Microorganisms that grow optimally at temperatures of 75°C and above are usually referred to as 'extreme thermophiles' and include both bacteria and archaea. For over a century, there has been great scientific curiosity in the basic tenets that support life in thermal biotopes on earth and potentially on other solar bodies. Extreme thermophiles can be aerobes, anaerobes, autotrophs, heterotrophs, or chemolithotrophs, and are found in diverse environments including shallow marine fissures, deep sea hydrothermal vents, terrestrial hot springs-basically, anywhere there is hot water. Initial efforts to study extreme thermophiles faced challenges with their isolation from difficult to access locales, problems with their cultivation in laboratories, and lack of molecular tools. Fortunately, because of their relatively small genomes, many extreme thermophiles were among the first organisms to be sequenced, thereby opening up the application of systems biology-based methods to probe their unique physiological, metabolic and biotechnological features. The bacterial genera Caldicellulosiruptor, Thermotoga and Thermus, and the archaea belonging to the orders Thermococcales and Sulfolobales, are among the most studied extreme thermophiles to date. The recent emergence of genetic tools for many of these organisms provides the opportunity to move beyond basic discovery and manipulation to biotechnologically relevant applications of metabolic engineering. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1377. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1377 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James A Counts
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Benjamin M Zeldes
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Laura L Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christopher T Straub
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Michael W W Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Robert M Kelly
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Narayan KD, Sabat SC, Das SK. Mechanism of electron transport during thiosulfate oxidation in an obligately mixotrophic bacterium Thiomonas bhubaneswarensis strain S10 (DSM 18181 T). Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 101:1239-1252. [PMID: 27832308 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7958-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This study describes the thiosulfate-supported respiratory electron transport activity of Thiomonas bhubaneswarensis strain S10 (DSM 18181T). Whole-genome sequence analysis revealed the presence of complete sox (sulfur oxidation) gene cluster (soxCDYZAXB) including the sulfur oxygenase reductase (SOR), sulfide quinone reductase (SQR), sulfide dehydrogenase (flavocytochrome c (fcc)), thiosulfate dehydrogenase (Tsd), sulfite dehydrogenase (SorAB), and intracellular sulfur oxidation protein (DsrE/DsrF). In addition, genes encoding respiratory electron transport chain components viz. complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), complex II (succinate dehydrogenase), complex III (ubiquinone-cytochrome c reductase), and various types of terminal oxidases (cytochrome c and quinol oxidase) were identified in the genome. Using site-specific electron donors and inhibitors and by analyzing the cytochrome spectra, we identified the shortest thiosulfate-dependent electron transport chain in T. bhubaneswarensis DSM 18181T. Our results showed that thiosulfate supports the electron transport activity in a bifurcated manner, donating electrons to quinol (bd) and cytochrome c (Caa 3 ) oxidase; these two sites (quinol oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase) also showed differences in their phosphate esterification potential (oxidative phosphorylation efficiency (P/O)). Further, it was evidenced that the substrate-level phosphorylation is the major contributor to the total energy budget in this bacterium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunwar Digvijay Narayan
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Surendra Chandra Sabat
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India
| | - Subrata K Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, 751023, India.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wang ZB, Li YQ, Lin JQ, Pang X, Liu XM, Liu BQ, Wang R, Zhang CJ, Wu Y, Lin JQ, Chen LX. The Two-Component System RsrS-RsrR Regulates the Tetrathionate Intermediate Pathway for Thiosulfate Oxidation in Acidithiobacillus caldus. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1755. [PMID: 27857710 PMCID: PMC5093147 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus caldus (A. caldus) is a common bioleaching bacterium that possesses a sophisticated and highly efficient inorganic sulfur compound metabolism network. Thiosulfate, a central intermediate in the sulfur metabolism network of A. caldus and other sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms, can be metabolized via the tetrathionate intermediate (S4I) pathway catalyzed by thiosulfate:quinol oxidoreductase (Tqo or DoxDA) and tetrathionate hydrolase (TetH). In A. caldus, there is an additional two-component system called RsrS-RsrR. Since rsrS and rsrR are arranged as an operon with doxDA and tetH in the genome, we suggest that the regulation of the S4I pathway may occur via the RsrS-RsrR system. To examine the regulatory role of the two-component system RsrS-RsrR on the S4I pathway, ΔrsrR and ΔrsrS strains were constructed in A. caldus using a newly developed markerless gene knockout method. Transcriptional analysis of the tetH cluster in the wild type and mutant strains revealed positive regulation of the S4I pathway by the RsrS-RsrR system. A 19 bp inverted repeat sequence (IRS, AACACCTGTTACACCTGTT) located upstream of the tetH promoter was identified as the binding site for RsrR by using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) in vitro and promoter-probe vectors in vivo. In addition, ΔrsrR, and ΔrsrS strains cultivated in K2S4O6-medium exhibited significant growth differences when compared with the wild type. Transcriptional analysis indicated that the absence of rsrS or rsrR had different effects on the expression of genes involved in sulfur metabolism and signaling systems. Finally, a model of tetrathionate sensing by RsrS, signal transduction via RsrR, and transcriptional activation of tetH-doxDA was proposed to provide insights toward the understanding of sulfur metabolism in A. caldus. This study also provided a powerful genetic tool for studies in A. caldus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Bao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Ya-Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Jian-Qun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Xin Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Xiang-Mei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | | | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Cheng-Jia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Yan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Jian-Qiang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Lin-Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang Y, Bott C, Nerenberg R. Sulfur-based denitrification: Effect of biofilm development on denitrification fluxes. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 100:184-193. [PMID: 27187050 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Elemental sulfur (S(o)) can serve as an electron donor for denitrification. However, the mechanisms and rates of S(o)-based denitrification, which depend on a biofilm development on a solid S(o) surface, are not well understood. We used completely-mixed reactors packed with S(o) chips to systematically explore the behavior of S(o)-based denitrification as a function of the bulk nitrate (NO3(-)) concentration and biofilm development. High-purity (99.5%) and agricultural-grade (90% purity) S(o) chips were tested to explore differences in performance. NO3(-) fluxes followed a Monod-type relationship with the bulk NO3(-) concentration. For high-purity S(o), the maximum NO3(-) flux increased from 0.4 gN/m(2)-d at 21 days to 0.9 g N/m(2)-d at around 100 days, but then decreased to 0.65 gN/m(2)-d at 161 days. The apparent (extant) half-saturation constant for NO3(-) KSapp, based on the bulk NO3(-) concentration and NO3(-) fluxes into the biofilm, increased from 0.1 mgN/L at 21 days to 0.8 mgN/L at 161 days, reflecting the increasing mass transfer resistance as the biofilm thickness increased. Nitrite (NO2(-)) accumulation became significant at bulk NO3(-) concentration above 0.2 mgN/L. The behavior of the agricultural-grade S(o) was very similar to the high-purity S(o). The kinetic behavior of S(o)-based denitrification was consistent with substrate counter-diffusion, where the soluble sulfur species diffuse from the S(o) particle into the base of the biofilm, while NO3(-) diffuses into the biofilm from the bulk. Initially, the fluxes were low due to biomass limitation (thin biofilms). As the biofilm thickness increased with time, the fluxes first increased, stabilized, and then decreased. The decrease was probably due to increasing diffusional resistance in the thick biofilm. Results suggest that fluxes comparable to heterotrophic biofilm processes can be achieved, but careful management of biofilm accumulation is important to maintain high fluxes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - Charles Bott
- Hampton Roads Sanitation District, P.O. Box 5911, Virginia Beach, VA 23471, USA.
| | - Robert Nerenberg
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Sharmin S, Yoshino E, Kanao T, Kamimura K. Characterization of a novel thiosulfate dehydrogenase from a marine acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans strain SH. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2015; 80:273-8. [PMID: 26393925 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2015.1088377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A marine acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans strain SH, was isolated to develop a bioleaching process for NaCl-containing sulfide minerals. Because the sulfur moiety of sulfide minerals is metabolized to sulfate via thiosulfate as an intermediate, we purified and characterized the thiosulfate dehydrogenase (TSD) from strain SH. The enzyme had an apparent molecular mass of 44 kDa and was purified 71-fold from the solubilized membrane fraction. Tetrathionate was the product of the TSD-oxidized thiosulfate and ferricyanide or ubiquinone was the electron acceptor. Maximum enzyme activity was observed at pH 4.0, 40 °C, and 200 mM NaCl. To our knowledge, this is the first report of NaCl-stimulated TSD activity. TSD was structurally different from the previously reported thiosulfate-oxidizing enzymes. In addition, TSD activity was strongly inhibited by 2-heptyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline N-oxide, suggesting that the TSD is a novel thiosulfate:quinone reductase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sultana Sharmin
- a Division of Agricultural and Life Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Eriko Yoshino
- a Division of Agricultural and Life Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Tadayoshi Kanao
- a Division of Agricultural and Life Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Kazuo Kamimura
- a Division of Agricultural and Life Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Helz GR. Activity of zero-valent sulfur in sulfidic natural waters. GEOCHEMICAL TRANSACTIONS 2014; 15:13. [PMID: 26561456 PMCID: PMC4631721 DOI: 10.1186/s12932-014-0013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ionic and molecular carriers of dissolved (filter-passing) zero-valent sulfur (S0) in anaerobic natural waters include polysulfides, Sn2-, molecular S8(aq), organic macromolecules and certain higher valent thioanions. Because S0 is rapidly transferred among these various carriers, its biogeochemical roles in such processes as dehalogenation of organic compounds, chelation of trace metals, and anaerobic microbial metabolism are not determined solely by one ionic or molecular species. Here, S0 is treated collectively as a virtual thermodynamic component, and computational as well as graphical methods for quantifying its activity (aS0) in natural waters are presented. From aS0, concentrations of the ionic and molecular carriers of S0 can be calculated easily. RESULTS Concentration ratios of any two polysulfide ions define aS0 (Method I). Unfortunately these concentrations are often too low in nature for accurate quantification with current methods. Measurements of total divalent sulfur (ΣS-II), zero-valent sulfur (ΣS0) and pH provide a more widely applicable approach (Method II). Systematic errors in ΣS0 measurements are the main limit to accuracy of this method at the present time. Alternative methods based on greigite solubility and potentiometry are discussed. A critical comparison of Methods I and II reveals inconsistencies at low ΣS0/ΣS-II that imply errors in the thermodynamic data for HS2- and S2-. For samples having low ΣS0/ΣS-II, an interim remedy is recommended: letting pKa2 = 6.3 for all HSn- ions. CONCLUSIONS Newly assembled data for aS0 in a selection of anaerobic natural waters indicate that S0 is always metastable in the surveyed samples with respect to disproportionation to sulfide and sulfate. In all the surveyed environments, sulfur-rich minerals, such as greigite, covellite and orpiment, are stable in preference to their sulfur-poor cohorts, mackinawite, chalcocite and realgar. The aS0 values in the dataset span conditions favoring Hg-polysulfide complexes vs. Hg-sulfide complexes, implying that aS0 could affect Hg-methylation rates in nature. No support is found for the common assumption that aS0 = 1 in reducing natural waters. This paper calls attention to an urgent need for improved measurement methods, especially for total zero-valent sulfur, as well as new determinations of ionization constants for all HSn- species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George R Helz
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, 20742 MD USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Distribution, diversity, and activities of sulfur dioxygenases in heterotrophic bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:1799-806. [PMID: 24389926 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03281-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur oxidation by chemolithotrophic bacteria is well known; however, sulfur oxidation by heterotrophic bacteria is often ignored. Sulfur dioxygenases (SDOs) (EC 1.13.11.18) were originally found in the cell extracts of some chemolithotrophic bacteria as glutathione (GSH)-dependent sulfur dioxygenases. GSH spontaneously reacts with elemental sulfur to generate glutathione persulfide (GSSH), and SDOs oxidize GSSH to sulfite and GSH. However, SDOs have not been characterized for bacteria, including chemolithotrophs. The gene coding for human SDO (human ETHE1 [hETHE1]) in mitochondria was discovered because its mutations lead to a hereditary human disease, ethylmalonic encephalopathy. Using sequence analysis and activity assays, we discovered three subgroups of bacterial SDOs in the proteobacteria and cyanobacteria. Ten selected SDO genes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant proteins were purified. The SDOs used Fe(2+) for catalysis and displayed considerable variations in specific activities. The wide distribution of SDO genes reveals the likely source of the hETHE1 gene and highlights the potential of sulfur oxidation by heterotrophic bacteria.
Collapse
|
27
|
Dahl C, Franz B, Hensen D, Kesselheim A, Zigann R. Sulfite oxidation in the purple sulfur bacterium Allochromatium vinosum: identification of SoeABC as a major player and relevance of SoxYZ in the process. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2013; 159:2626-2638. [PMID: 24030319 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.071019-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In phototrophic sulfur bacteria, sulfite is a well-established intermediate during reduced sulfur compound oxidation. Sulfite is generated in the cytoplasm by the reverse-acting dissimilatory sulfite reductase DsrAB. Many purple sulfur bacteria can even use externally available sulfite as a photosynthetic electron donor. Nevertheless, the exact mode of sulfite oxidation in these organisms is a long-standing enigma. Indirect oxidation in the cytoplasm via adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (APS) catalysed by APS reductase and ATP sulfurylase is neither generally present nor essential. The inhibition of sulfite oxidation by tungstate in the model organism Allochromatium vinosum indicated the involvement of a molybdoenzyme, but homologues of the periplasmic molybdopterin-containing SorAB or SorT sulfite dehydrogenases are not encoded in genome-sequenced purple or green sulfur bacteria. However, genes for a membrane-bound polysulfide reductase-like iron-sulfur molybdoprotein (SoeABC) are universally present. The catalytic subunit of the protein is predicted to be oriented towards the cytoplasm. We compared the sulfide- and sulfite-oxidizing capabilities of A. vinosum WT with single mutants deficient in SoeABC or APS reductase and the respective double mutant, and were thus able to prove that SoeABC is the major sulfite-oxidizing enzyme in A. vinosum and probably also in other phototrophic sulfur bacteria. The genes also occur in a large number of chemotrophs, indicating a general importance of SoeABC for sulfite oxidation in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, we showed that the periplasmic sulfur substrate-binding protein SoxYZ is needed in parallel to the cytoplasmic enzymes for effective sulfite oxidation in A. vinosum and provided a model for the interplay between these systems despite their localization in different cellular compartments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Dahl
- Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bettina Franz
- Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniela Hensen
- Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Anne Kesselheim
- Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Renate Zigann
- Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bobadilla Fazzini RA, Cortés MP, Padilla L, Maturana D, Budinich M, Maass A, Parada P. Stoichiometric modeling of oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (Riscs) in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. Biotechnol Bioeng 2013; 110:2242-51. [PMID: 23436458 DOI: 10.1002/bit.24875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The prokaryotic oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (RISCs) is a topic of utmost importance from a biogeochemical and industrial perspective. Despite sulfur oxidizing bacterial activity is largely known, no quantitative approaches to biological RISCs oxidation have been made, gathering all the complex abiotic and enzymatic stoichiometry involved. Even though in the case of neutrophilic bacteria such as Paracoccus and Beggiatoa species the RISCs oxidation systems are well described, there is a lack of knowledge for acidophilic microorganisms. Here, we present the first experimentally validated stoichiometric model able to assess RISCs oxidation quantitatively in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans (strain DSM 17318), the archetype of the sulfur oxidizing acidophilic chemolithoautotrophs. This model was built based on literature and genomic analysis, considering a widespread mix of formerly proposed RISCs oxidation models combined and evaluated experimentally. Thiosulfate partial oxidation by the Sox system (SoxABXYZ) was placed as central step of sulfur oxidation model, along with abiotic reactions. This model was coupled with a detailed stoichiometry of biomass production, providing accurate bacterial growth predictions. In silico deletion/inactivation highlights the role of sulfur dioxygenase as the main catalyzer and a moderate function of tetrathionate hydrolase in elemental sulfur catabolism, demonstrating that this model constitutes an advanced instrument for the optimization of At. thiooxidans biomass production with potential use in biohydrometallurgical and environmental applications.
Collapse
|
29
|
Guiral M, Prunetti L, Aussignargues C, Ciaccafava A, Infossi P, Ilbert M, Lojou E, Giudici-Orticoni MT. The hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus: from respiratory pathways to extremely resistant enzymes and biotechnological applications. Adv Microb Physiol 2013; 61:125-94. [PMID: 23046953 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394423-8.00004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aquifex aeolicus isolated from a shallow submarine hydrothermal system belongs to the order Aquificales which constitute an important component of the microbial communities at elevated temperatures. This hyperthermophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterium, which utilizes molecular hydrogen, molecular oxygen, and inorganic sulfur compounds to flourish, uses the reductive TCA cycle for CO(2) fixation. In this review, the intricate energy metabolism of A. aeolicus is described. As the chemistry of sulfur is complex and multiple sulfur species can be generated, A. aeolicus possesses a multitude of different enzymes related to the energy sulfur metabolism. It contains also membrane-embedded [NiFe] hydrogenases as well as oxidases enzymes involved in hydrogen and oxygen utilization. We have focused on some of these proteins that have been extensively studied and characterized as super-resistant enzymes with outstanding properties. We discuss the potential use of hydrogenases in an attractive H(2)/O(2) biofuel cell in replacement of chemical catalysts. Using complete genomic sequence and biochemical data, we present here a global view of the energy-generating mechanisms of A. aeolicus including sulfur compounds reduction and oxidation pathways as well as hydrogen and oxygen utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Guiral
- Unité de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, UMR7281-FR3479, CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Midha V, Jha MK, Dey A. Sulfide oxidation in fluidized bed bioreactor using nylon support material. J Environ Sci (China) 2012; 24:512-519. [PMID: 22655367 DOI: 10.1016/s1001-0742(11)60799-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A continuous fluidized bed bioreactor (FBBR) with nylon support particles was used to treat synthetic sulfide wastewater at different hydraulic retention time of 25, 50 and 75 min and upflow velocity of 14, 17 and 20 m/hr. The effects of upflow velocity, hydraulic retention time and reactor operation time on sulfide oxidation rate were studied using statistical model. Mixed culture obtained from the activated sludge, taken from tannery effluent treatment plant, was used as a source for microorganisms. The diameter and density of the nylon particles were 2-3 mm and 1140 kg/m3, respectively. Experiments were carried out in the reactor at a temperature of (30 +/- 2) degrees C, at a fixed bed height of 16 cm after the formation of biofilm on the surface of support particles. Biofilm thickness reached (42 +/- 3) microm after 15 days from reactor start-up. The sulfide oxidation, sulfate and sulfur formation is examined at all hydraulic retention times and upflow velocities. The results indicated that almost 90%-92% sulfide oxidation was achieved at all hydraulic retention times. Statistical model could explain 94% of the variability and analysis of variance showed that upflow velocity and hydraulic retention time slightly affected the sulfide oxidation rate. The highest sulfide oxidation of 92% with 70% sulfur was obtained at hydraulic retention time of 75 min and upflow velocity of 14 m/hr.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Midha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar 144011, India.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Almkvist G, Persson I. Distribution of iron and sulfur and their speciation in relation to degradation processes in wood from the Swedish warship Vasa. NEW J CHEM 2011. [DOI: 10.1039/c1nj20056a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
32
|
Norlund KLI, Southam G, Tyliszczak T, Hu Y, Karunakaran C, Obst M, Hitchcock AP, Warren LA. Microbial architecture of environmental sulfur processes: a novel syntrophic sulfur-metabolizing consortia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:8781-8786. [PMID: 19943646 DOI: 10.1021/es803616k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Microbial oxidation of sulfur-rich mining waste materials drives acid mine drainage (AMD) and affects the global sulfur biogeochemical cycle. The generation of AMD is a complex, dynamic process that proceeds via multiple reaction pathways. The role of natural consortia of microbes in AMD generation, however, has received very little attention despite their widespread occurrence in mining environments. Through a combination of geochemical experimentation and modeling, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, and fluorescent in situ hybridization, we show a novel interdependent metabolic arrangement of two ubiquitous and abundant AMD bacteria: chemoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus sp. and heterotrophic Acidiphilium sp. Highly reminiscent of anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) consortia, these bacteria are spatially segregated within a planktonic macrostructure of extracellular polymeric substance in which they syntrophically couple sulfur oxidation and reduction reactions in a mutually beneficial arrangement that regenerates their respective sulfur substrates. As discussed here, the geochemical impacts of microbial metabolism are linked to the consortial organization and development of the pod structure, which affects cell-cell interactions and interactions with the surrounding geochemical microenvironment. If these pods are widespread in mine waters, echoing the now widespread discovery of AOM consortia, then AMD-driven CO(2) atmospheric fluxes from H(2)SO(4) carbonate weathering could be reduced by as much as 26 TgC/yr. This novel sulfur consortial discovery indicates that organized metabolically linked microbial partnerships are likely widespread and more significant in global elemental cycling than previously considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L I Norlund
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1 Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ghosh W, Dam B. Biochemistry and molecular biology of lithotrophic sulfur oxidation by taxonomically and ecologically diverse bacteria and archaea. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2009; 33:999-1043. [PMID: 19645821 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2009.00187.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithotrophic sulfur oxidation is an ancient metabolic process. Ecologically and taxonomically diverged prokaryotes have differential abilities to utilize different reduced sulfur compounds as lithotrophic substrates. Different phototrophic or chemotrophic species use different enzymes, pathways and mechanisms of electron transport and energy conservation for the oxidation of any given substrate. While the mechanisms of sulfur oxidation in obligately chemolithotrophic bacteria, predominantly belonging to Beta- (e.g. Thiobacillus) and Gammaproteobacteria (e.g. Thiomicrospira), are not well established, the Sox system is the central pathway in the facultative bacteria from Alphaproteobacteria (e.g. Paracoccus). Interestingly, photolithotrophs such as Rhodovulum belonging to Alphaproteobacteria also use the Sox system, whereas those from Chromatiaceae and Chlorobi use a truncated Sox complex alongside reverse-acting sulfate-reducing systems. Certain chemotrophic magnetotactic Alphaproteobacteria allegedly utilize such a combined mechanism. Sulfur-chemolithotrophic metabolism in Archaea, largely restricted to Sulfolobales, is distinct from those in Bacteria. Phylogenetic and biomolecular fossil data suggest that the ubiquity of sox genes could be due to horizontal transfer, and coupled sulfate reduction/sulfide oxidation pathways, originating in planktonic ancestors of Chromatiaceae or Chlorobi, could be ancestral to all sulfur-lithotrophic processes. However, the possibility that chemolithotrophy, originating in deep sea, is the actual ancestral form of sulfur oxidation cannot be ruled out.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wriddhiman Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology, University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India.
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Warren LA, Norlund KLI, Bernier L. Microbial thiosulphate reaction arrays: the interactive roles of Fe(III), O2 and microbial strain on disproportionation and oxidation pathways. GEOBIOLOGY 2008; 6:461-470. [PMID: 19076637 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00173.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we experimentally evaluate pH and SO4(2-) dynamics associated with abiotic and microbial S2O3(2-) oxidation under varying [O2], [Fe(III)] and microbial strain/consortia (two pure strains, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, their consortia, and two enrichments from an acidic environmental system, Moose Lake 2002 and Moose Lake 2003). Results of the batch experiments demonstrate highly active microbial processing of S2O3(2-) while abiotic controls under identical experimental conditions remain static with no pH decrease. When abiotic controls were manually titrated with acid to achieve similar pH decreases to those occurring in the microbial treatments, different S pathways were involved. In particular, disproportionation is a substantial component of initial microbial S2O3(2-) processing, and is accelerated by the presence of Fe(III), indicating that recycling of S through intermediate oxidation states is likely to be widespread in acidic mine environments where high [Fe(III)] is common. Furthermore, the microbially mediated S reaction pathways were dependent on both environmental conditions and microbial strain/consortia, indicating that microbial community structure also plays a key role. Collectively, these results highlight the importance of microbial activity, their poor representation by abiotic S models, the likelihood that Fe(III), rather than O2, is a key control on microbial S processing in acid environments and the need to identify the microbial community/strain involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L A Warren
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Anandham R, Indiragandhi P, Madhaiyan M, Ryu KY, Jee HJ, Sa TM. Chemolithoautotrophic oxidation of thiosulfate and phylogenetic distribution of sulfur oxidation gene (soxB) in rhizobacteria isolated from crop plants. Res Microbiol 2008; 159:579-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2008.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2008] [Revised: 08/15/2008] [Accepted: 08/27/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
36
|
Biological treatment of toxic petroleum spent caustic in fluidized bed bioreactor using immobilized cells of Thiobacillus RAI01. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2008; 151:532-46. [PMID: 18574569 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-008-8229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2007] [Accepted: 03/20/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In the present studies, newly isolated Thiobacillus sp was used for the treatment of synthetic spent sulfide caustic in a laboratory-scale fluidized bed bioreactor. The sulfide oxidation was tested using Ca-alginate immobilized Thiobacillus sp. Initially, response surface methodology was applied for the optimization of four parameters to check the sulfide oxidation efficiency in batch mode. Further, reactor was operated in continuous mode for 51 days at different sulfide loading rates and retention times to test the sulfide oxidation and sulfate and thiosulfate formation. Sulfide conversions in the range of 90-98% were obtained at almost all sulfide loading rates and hydraulic retention times. However, increased loading rates resulted in lower sulfide oxidation capacity. All the experiments were conducted at constant pH of around 6 and temperature of 30 +/- 5 degrees C.
Collapse
|
37
|
First characterisation of the active oligomer form of sulfur oxygenase reductase from the bacterium Aquifex aeolicus. Extremophiles 2007; 12:205-15. [PMID: 18060346 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-007-0119-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2007] [Accepted: 10/08/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur oxygenase reductase (SOR) enzyme is responsible for the initial oxidation step of elemental sulfur in archaea. Curiously, Aquifex aeolicus, a hyperthermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic and microaerophilic bacterium, has the SOR-encoding gene in its genome. We showed, for the first time the presence of the SOR enzyme in A. aeolicus, its gene was cloned and recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and the protein was purified and characterised. It is a 16 homo-oligomer of approximately 600 kDa that contains iron atoms indispensable for the enzyme activity. The optimal temperature of SOR activity is 80 degrees C and it is inactive at 20 degrees C. Studies of the factors involved in getting the fully active molecule at high temperature show clearly that (1) incubation at high temperature induces more homogeneous form of the enzyme, (2) conformational changes observed at high temperature are required to get the fully active molecule and (3) acquisition of an active conformation induced by the temperature seems to be more important than the subunit number. Differences between A. aeolicus SOR and the archaea SORs are described.
Collapse
|
38
|
Rohwerder T, Sand W. Oxidation of Inorganic Sulfur Compounds in Acidophilic Prokaryotes. Eng Life Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200720204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
|
39
|
Mohapatra BR, Gould WD, Dinardo O, Papavinasam S, Koren DW, Revie RW. Enhanced Biosynthesis of Sulfide Oxidase byArthrobacter Species Using Response Surface Methodology. Eng Life Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200620190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
|
40
|
Anandham R, Sridar R, Nalayini P, Poonguzhali S, Madhaiyan M, Sa T. Potential for plant growth promotion in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cv. ALR-2 by co-inoculation of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and Rhizobium. Microbiol Res 2007; 162:139-53. [PMID: 16574388 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2006.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of Rhizobium inoculant for groundnut is a common practice in India. Also, co-inoculation of Rhizobium with other plant growth-promoting bacteria received considerable attention in legume growth promotion. Hence, in the present study we investigated effects of co-inoculating the sulfur (S)-oxidizing bacterial strains with Rhizobium, a strain that had no S-oxidizing potential in groundnut. Chemolithotrophic S-oxidizing bacterial isolates from different sources by enrichment isolation technique included three autotrophic (LCH, SWA5 and SWA4) and one heterotrophic (SGA6) strains. All the four isolates decreased the pH of the growth medium through oxidation of elemental S to sulfuric acid. Characterization revealed that these isolates tentatively placed into the genus Thiobacillus. Clay-based pellet formulation (2.5 x 10(7) cf ug(-1) pellet) of the Thiobacillus strains were developed and their efficiency to promote plant growth was tested in groundnut under pot culture and field conditions with S-deficit soil. Experiments in pot culture yielded promising results on groundnut increasing the plant biomass, nodule number and dry weight, and pod yield. Co-inoculation of Thiobacillus sp. strain LCH (applied at 60 kg ha(-1)) with Rhizobium under field condition recorded significantly higher nodule number, nodule dry weight and plant biomass 136.9 plant(-1), 740.0mg plant(-1) and 15.0 g plant(-1), respectively, on 80 days after sowing and enhanced the pod yield by 18%. Also inoculation of S-oxidizing bacteria increased the soil available S from 7.4 to 8.43 kg ha(-1). These results suggest that inoculation of S-oxidizing bacteria along with rhizobia results in synergistic interactions promoting the yield and oil content of groundnut, in S-deficit soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Anandham
- Deparment of Agricultural Chemistry, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Chen F, Yang D. Condensation of amino acids to form peptides in aqueous solution induced by the oxidation of sulfur(iv): an oxidative model for prebiotic peptide formation. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2007; 37:47-54. [PMID: 16821097 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-006-9012-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2005] [Accepted: 01/25/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Condensation of amino acids to peptides is an important step during the origin of life. However, up to now, successful explanations for plausible prebiotic peptide formation pathways have been limited. Here we report that the oxidation of sulfur (IV) can induce the condensation reaction of carboxylic acids and amines to form amides, and the condensation reaction of amino acids to form peptides. This might be a general reaction contributing to prebiotic peptide formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China.
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Mohapatra BR, Gould WD, Dinardo O, Papavinasam S, Revie RW. Optimization of culture conditions and properties of immobilized sulfide oxidase from Arthrobacter species. J Biotechnol 2006; 124:523-31. [PMID: 16530872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2006.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2005] [Revised: 01/11/2006] [Accepted: 01/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Arthrobacter species strain FR-3, isolated from sediments of a swamp, produced a novel serine-type sulfide oxidase. The production of sulfide oxidase was maximal at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C. Among various carbon and nitrogen sources tested, glucose and yeast extract were found to be the most effective substrates for the secretion of sulfide oxidase. The sulfide oxidase was purified to homogeneity and the molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 43 kDa when estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified sulfide oxidase can be effectively immobilized in DEAE (diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose matrix with a yield of 66%. The purified free and immobilized enzyme had optimum activity at pH 7.5 and 6.0, respectively. Immobilization increases the stability of the enzyme with respect to temperature. The half-life of the immobilized enzyme was 30 min at 45 degrees C, longer than that of the free enzyme (10 min). The purified free sulfide oxidase activity was completely inhibited by 1 mM Co2+ and Zn2+ and sulfhydryl group reagents (para-chloromercuribenzoic acid and iodoacetic acid). Catalytic activity was not affected by 1 mM Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and metal-chelating agent (EDTA).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B R Mohapatra
- CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory, Natural Resources Canada, 568 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A0G1.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Guiral M, Tron P, Aubert C, Gloter A, Iobbi-Nivol C, Giudici-Orticoni MT. A Membrane-bound Multienzyme, Hydrogen-oxidizing, and Sulfur-reducing Complex from the Hyperthermophilic Bacterium Aquifex aeolicus. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:42004-15. [PMID: 16236714 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m508034200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquifex aeolicus is a hyperthermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic, hydrogen-oxidizing, and microaerophilic bacterium growing at 85 degrees C. We have shown that it can grow on an H2/S degrees medium and produce H2S from sulfur in the later exponential phase. The complex carrying the sulfur reducing activity (electron transport from H2 to S degrees ) has been purified and characterized. It is a membrane-bound multiprotein complex containing a [NiFe] hydrogenase and a sulfur reductase connected via quinones. The sulfur reductase is encoded by an operon annotated dms (dimethyl sulfoxide reductase) that we have renamed sre and is composed of three subunits. Sequence analysis showed that it belongs to the Me2SO reductase molybdoenzyme family and is similar to the sulfur/polysulfide/thiosulfate/tetrathionate reductases. The study of catalytic properties clearly demonstrated that it can reduce tetrathionate, sulfur, and polysulfide, but cannot reduce Me2SO and thiosulfate, and that NADPH increases the sulfur reducing activity. To date, this is the first characterization of a supercomplex from a bacterium that couples hydrogen oxidation and sulfur reduction. The distinctive feature in A. aeolicus is the cytoplasmic localization of the sulfur reduction, which is in accordance with the presence of sulfur globules in the cytoplasm. Association of this sulfur-reducing complex with a hydrogen-oxygen pathway complex (hydrogenase I, bc1 complex) in the membrane suggests that subcomplexes involved in respiratory chains in this bacterium are part of supramolecular organization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Guiral
- Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, IBSM-CNRS, 13402 Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Valenzuela L, Chi A, Beard S, Orell A, Guiliani N, Shabanowitz J, Hunt DF, Jerez CA. Genomics, metagenomics and proteomics in biomining microorganisms. Biotechnol Adv 2005; 24:197-211. [PMID: 16288845 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2005.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The use of acidophilic, chemolithotrophic microorganisms capable of oxidizing iron and sulfur in industrial processes to recover metals from minerals containing copper, gold and uranium is a well established biotechnology with distinctive advantages over traditional mining. A consortium of different microorganisms participates in the oxidative reactions resulting in the extraction of dissolved metal values from ores. Considerable effort has been spent in the last years to understand the biochemistry of iron and sulfur compounds oxidation, bacteria-mineral interactions (chemotaxis, quorum sensing, adhesion, biofilm formation) and several adaptive responses allowing the microorganisms to survive in a bioleaching environment. All of these are considered key phenomena for understanding the process of biomining. The use of genomics, metagenomics and high throughput proteomics to study the global regulatory responses that the biomining community uses to adapt to their changing environment is just beginning to emerge in the last years. These powerful approaches are reviewed here since they offer the possibility of exciting new findings that will allow analyzing the community as a microbial system, determining the extent to which each of the individual participants contributes to the process, how they evolve in time to keep the conglomerate healthy and therefore efficient during the entire process of bioleaching.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lissette Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kleinjan WE, de Keizer A, Janssen AJH. Kinetics of the Reaction between Dissolved Sodium Sulfide and Biologically Produced Sulfur. Ind Eng Chem Res 2004. [DOI: 10.1021/ie049579q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wilfred E. Kleinjan
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8038, 6700 EK Wageningen, The Netherlands, and Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arie de Keizer
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8038, 6700 EK Wageningen, The Netherlands, and Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albert J. H. Janssen
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8038, 6700 EK Wageningen, The Netherlands, and Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ramírez P, Guiliani N, Valenzuela L, Beard S, Jerez CA. Differential protein expression during growth of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on ferrous iron, sulfur compounds, or metal sulfides. Appl Environ Microbiol 2004; 70:4491-8. [PMID: 15294777 PMCID: PMC492426 DOI: 10.1128/aem.70.8.4491-4498.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2003] [Accepted: 04/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A set of proteins that changed their levels of synthesis during growth of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 19859 on metal sulfides, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, and ferrous iron was characterized by using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N-terminal amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis of these proteins allowed their identification and the localization of the corresponding genes in the available genomic sequence of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270. The genomic context around several of these genes suggests their involvement in the energetic metabolism of A. ferrooxidans. Two groups of proteins could be distinguished. The first consisted of proteins highly upregulated by growth on sulfur compounds (and downregulated by growth on ferrous iron): a 44-kDa outer membrane protein, an exported 21-kDa putative thiosulfate sulfur transferase protein, a 33-kDa putative thiosulfate/sulfate binding protein, a 45-kDa putative capsule polysaccharide export protein, and a putative 16-kDa protein of unknown function. The second group of proteins comprised those downregulated by growth on sulfur (and upregulated by growth on ferrous iron): rusticyanin, a cytochrome c(552), a putative phosphate binding protein (PstS), the small and large subunits of ribulose biphosphate carboxylase, and a 30-kDa putative CbbQ protein, among others. The results suggest in general a separation of the iron and sulfur utilization pathways. Rusticyanin, in addition to being highly expressed on ferrous iron, was also newly synthesized, as determined by metabolic labeling, although at lower levels, during growth on sulfur compounds and iron-free metal sulfides. During growth on metal sulfides containing iron, such as pyrite and chalcopyrite, both proteins upregulated on ferrous iron and those upregulated on sulfur compounds were synthesized, indicating that the two energy-generating pathways are induced simultaneously depending on the kind and concentration of oxidizable substrates available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Bedner M, MacCrehan WA, Helz GR. Making chlorine greener: investigation of alternatives to sulfite for dechlorination. WATER RESEARCH 2004; 38:2505-2514. [PMID: 15159154 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2004.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2003] [Revised: 01/30/2004] [Accepted: 03/05/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic and organic chloramines pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems that are exposed to discharges of treated and disinfected wastewater. Conventionally practiced dechlorination with sulfite reduces the most refractory organic chloramines too slowly to produce wastewater effluents that meet current ecosystem protection criteria in the United States (i.e. total residual chlorine < or =0.011mg Cl(2)/L in freshwaters). Seeking faster dechlorinating agents, we have measured the rates that four test chloramines (NH(2)Cl, N-Cl-piperidine, N-Cl-leucylalanine and N-Cl-alanylalanine) react with 10 selected reducing agents at pH 7.4 and pH 8.4. The aqueous-phase reducing agents that offer speed advantages over sulfite alone include dithionite, thiosulfate, and iodide-mediated sulfite. Ascorbic acid was the most reactive of the sulfur-free agents but was found to be slow relative to sulfite. The potential biological oxygen demand might constrain the choice of aqueous reductants. Metallic iron is shown to reduce inorganic and organic chloramines effectively. The implications of these results for wastewater chlorine reduction and analysis are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Bedner
- Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ramírez P, Toledo H, Guiliani N, Jerez CA. An exported rhodanese-like protein is induced during growth of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in metal sulfides and different sulfur compounds. Appl Environ Microbiol 2002; 68:1837-45. [PMID: 11916703 PMCID: PMC123899 DOI: 10.1128/aem.68.4.1837-1845.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2001] [Accepted: 01/09/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
By proteomic analysis we found a 21-kDa protein (P21) from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 19859 whose synthesis was greatly increased by growth of the bacteria in pyrite, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, CuS, and ZnS and was almost completely repressed by growth in ferrous iron. After we determined the N-terminal amino acid sequence of P21, we used the available preliminary genomic sequence of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 to isolate the DNA region containing the p21 gene. The nucleotide sequence of this DNA fragment contained a putative open reading frame (ORF) coding for a 23-kDa protein. This difference in size was due to the presence of a putative signal peptide in the ORF coding for P21. When p21 was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, the signal peptide was removed, resulting in a mature protein with a molecular mass of 21 kDa and a calculated isoelectric point of 9.18. P21 exhibited 27% identity and 42% similarity to the Deinococcus radiodurans thiosulfate-sulfur transferase (rhodanese; EC 2.8.1.1) and similar values in relation to other rhodaneses, conserving structural domains and an active site with a cysteine, both characteristic of this family of proteins. However, the purified recombinant P21 protein did not show rhodanese activity. Unlike cytoplasmic rhodaneses, P21 was located in the periphery of A. ferrooxidans cells, as determined by immunocytochemical analysis, and was regulated depending on the oxidizable substrate. The genomic context around gene p21 contained other ORFs corresponding to proteins such as thioredoxins and sulfate-thiosulfate binding proteins, clearly suggesting the involvement of P21 in inorganic sulfur metabolism in A. ferrooxidans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ramírez
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology and Millennium Institute for Advanced Studies in Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Masau RJY, Oh JK, Suzuki I. Mechanism of oxidation of inorganic sulfur compounds by thiosulfate-grown Thiobacillus thiooxidans. Can J Microbiol 2001. [DOI: 10.1139/w01-015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Thiobacillus thiooxidans was grown at pH 5 on thiosulfate as an energy source, and the mechanism of oxidation of inorganic sulfur compounds was studied by the effect of inhibitors, stoichiometries of oxygen consumption and sulfur, sulfite, or tetrathionate accumulation, and cytochrome reduction by substrates. Both intact cells and cell-free extracts were used in the study. The results are consistent with the pathway with sulfur and sulfite as the key intermediates. Thiosulfate was oxidized after cleavage to sulfur and sulfite as intermediates at pH 5, the optimal growth pH on thiosulfate, but after initial condensation to tetrathionate at pH 2.3 where the organism failed to grow. N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM) inhibited sulfur oxidation directly and the oxidation of thiosulfate or tetrathionate indirectly. It did not inhibit the sulfite oxidation by cells, but inhibited any reduction of cell cytochromes by sulfur, thiosulfate, tetrathionate, and sulfite. NEM probably binds sulfhydryl groups, which are possibly essential in supplying electrons to initiate sulfur oxidation. 2-Heptyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline N-oxide (HQNO) inhibited the oxidation of sulfite directly and that of sulfur, thiosulfate, and tetrathionate indirectly. Uncouplers, carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), inhibited sulfite oxidation by cells, but not the oxidation by extracts, while HQNO inhibited both. It is proposed that HQNO inhibits the oxidation of sulfite at the cytochrome b site both in cells and extracts, but uncouplers inhibit the oxidation in cells only by collapsing the energized state of cells, ΔµH+, required either for electron transfer from cytochrome c to b or for sulfite binding.Key words: Thiobacillus thiooxidans, thiosulfate, oxidation, sulfite.
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Microorganisms are important in metal recovery from ores, particularly sulfide ores. Copper, zinc, gold, etc. can be recovered from sulfide ores by microbial leaching. Mineral solubilization is achieved both by 'direct (contact) leaching' by bacteria and by 'indirect leaching' by ferric iron (Fe(3+)) that is regenerated from ferrous iron (Fe(2+)) by bacterial oxidation. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is the most studied organism in microbial leaching, but other iron- or sulfide/sulfur-oxidizing bacteria as well as archaea are potential microbial agents for metal leaching at high temperature or low pH environment. Oxidation of iron or sulfur can be selectively controlled leading to solubilization of desired metals leaving undesired metals (e.g., Fe) behind. Microbial contribution is obvious even in electrochemistry of galvanic interactions between minerals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|