Hydrogen/Sulfur Metabolism in the Hyperthermophilic Archaebacterium, Pyrodictium Brockii
Abstract
The objective of this work is to understand the relationship between hydrogen uptake and sulfur reduction as it relates to the energetics of the hyperthermophilic archaebacterium, Pyrodictium brokii. In the first year of work, we have shown that P. brockii apparently uses a soluble sulfur species (i. e., a polysulfide) as a substrate for sulfur reduction. Also, we have established protocols for growing this organism in continuous culture under conditions such that molecular hydrogen, the energy substrate, is growth-limiting. It was also shown that several metals (chromium, nickel, molybdenum) were toxic at the 10 ppm level necessitating the use of an all glass system for cultivation. In the second year of work, we plan to estimate maintenance energies and growth efficiencies for P. brockii using an unstructured mathematical model for cell growth, substrate consumption and gaseous product formation. Also, we will investigate the relationship between growth, hydrogen and carbon dioxide uptake, and sulfide generation. Keywords: Archaebacterium; Hyperthermophilic; Sulfur metabolism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 22, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA217217
Entities
People
- Robert M. Kelly
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University