Effect of Glucose on Carbon Dioxide Assimilation and Substrate Oxidation by <i>Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans</i>

Abstract

Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans , grown on either elemental sulfur or ferrous sulfate, was able to use either substrate as an energy source for the assimilation of CO 2 . In both cases, 0.01 μmole of carbon was incorporated per μmole of oxygen utilized. Glucose inhibited substrate oxidation and CO 2 fixation. Sulfur and iron oxidation were inhibited 5 to 15% and 40 to 50%, respectively, in the presence of 10% glucose. Under the same conditions, CO 2 assimilation was inhibited 50% with elemental sulfur as the energy source, and was almost totally inhibited when ferrous iron was used. </jats:p