Growth of Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans on Organic Matter

Abstract

Following a brief adaptation period to glucose, Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans was grown on glucose, mannitol, several other sugars, and a few amino acids in the absence of an oxidizable iron source. Prolonged growth on an organic substrate free from iron rendered the organism obligately organotrophic. The growth rate of the bacterium was greater in heterotrophic culture; the doubling time was approximately 4.5 hr on glucose. The bacterium retained its acidophilic properties during adaptation and growth on glucose and would not grow in neutral or slightly alkaline media. Addition of p-aminobenzoic acid was necessary for abundant growth of the cells on glucose. Of the eight strains of Fe++-oxidizing bacteria studied, only two strains grew on glucose in a nondialyzed system. The results of manometric studies are discussed with regard to metabolic efficiency of organic matter in this organism.

Biology of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in relation to the microbiological leaching of sulphide ores

“…Two strains of T . ferrooxidans have been shown able to grow heterotrophical-Iy, and are thus "facultative autotrophs" (REMSEN and LUNDGREN 1963, LUND- GREN et al 1964, LUNDGREN 1969, SHAFIA and WILKINSON 1969. I n all work so far, successful culture on glucose as sole energy source required two or more "adaptation cultures", in which the bacteria were transferred in media containing both Fea+ and glucose (first a t 0.5y0, then a t 1 yo) before growth on 1 yo glucose MATIN and RITTENBERQ 1970, PEETERS et al 1970, CHARLES 1971, KELLY 1971.…”

“…ferrooxidans are able t o grow a t the expense of sulphur and thiosulphate oxidation to sulphate (CDLMER 1962, LANDESMAN et al 1966, MARGALITH et al 1966. Generation times on sulphur generally fall in the range 10-25 hr (UNZ and LUNDGREN 1961, SILVER 1970), compared with 6.5-15 hr on iron (BECK 1960, MCGORAN et al 1969, SHAFIA and WILKINSON 1969. In some cases growth on sulphur or thiosulphate appears t o require a considerable adaptation period (UNZ and LUNDQREN 1961, JONES et al unpublished).…”

Adenylate energy charge in chemoorganotrophic Thiobacillus ferrooxidans KG-4

“…T. ferrooxidans strain KG-4 was originally supplied by Dr. F. Shafia (California State Polytechnic College, Pomona, CA 91768) and maintained on glucose [5,6]. Growth experiments were carried out using 50 ml * Present addresses: Lumatek Ltd., P.O.…”

Glucose transport system in a facultative iron-oxidizing bacterium, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

“…Thiobacillus ferrooxidans has been classified as a strict autotroph (15). However, Shafia et al (5,6) and Tabita and Lundgren (11) have shown that when autotrophically grown cells are transferred to a medium containing iron plus glucose, cells preferentially utilize ferrous iron, and when the iron is exhausted, they use glucose. These glucose-adapted cells can grow on glucose as the sole energy source upon transfer into a glucosesalts medium.…”

“…These glucose-adapted cells can grow on glucose as the sole energy source upon transfer into a glucosesalts medium. Some conditions for adaptation and the enzymes involved in glucose metabolism have been studied by several workers (5,6,(11)(12)(13).…”