Formation of adenylyl sulfate in phototrophic bacteria

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of Q235 Carbon Steel by Ectothiorhodospira sp

The biological sulfur cycle is closely related to iron corrosion in the natural environment. The effect of the sulfur-oxidising bacterium Ectothiorhodospira sp., named PHS-Q, on the metal corrosion behaviour rarely has been investigated. In this study, the corrosion mechanism of Q235 carbon steel in a PHS-Q-inoculated medium is discussed via the characterization of the morphology and the composition of the corrosion products, the measurement of local corrosion and the investigation of its electrochemical behaviour. The results suggested that, initially, PHS-Q assimilates sulfate to produce H₂S directly or indirectly in the medium without sulfide. H₂S reacts with Fe²⁺ to form an inert film on the coupon surface. Then, in localised areas, bacteria adhere to the reaction product and use the oxidation of FeS as a hydrogen donor. This process leads to a large cathode and a small anode, which incurs pitting corrosion. Consequently, the effect of PHS-Q on carbon steel corrosion behaviour is crucial in an anaerobic environment.

Sulfite reductase activity in extracts of various photosynthetic bacteria

Extracts of representative bacterial strains from the various families of photosynthetic prokaryotes are demonstrated to possess significant levels of sulfite reductase [EC 1.8.99.1; hydrogen-sulfide: (acceptor)oxidoreductase] activity with reduced methyl viologen as electron donor, but not NADPH(2). The enzyme is localized primarily in the soluble fraction of the extracts, in contrast to adenylysulfate reductase [EC 1.8.99.2; AMP, sulfite: (acceptor) oxidoreductase], which is bound normally in the membrane fractions of those bacteria in which it is found. Assignment of the sulfite reductase activities to the biosynthetic ("assimilatory") pathway is suggested by levels of specific activity noted and ready solubility.

Survey of the photosynthetic bacteria for rhodanese (thiosulfate: cyanide sulfur transferase) activity

Rhodanese activity was demonstrated in extracts from all three taxonomic families of photosynthetic bacteria, and this activity appeared to be uncorrelated with thiosulfate metabolism.