ISSN:
1432-072X
Keywords:
Desulfobacter postgatei
;
Methanosarcina barkeri
;
K s values for acetate
;
Methanogenesis
;
Sulfate reduction
;
Competition for acetate
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Methanosarcina barkeri and Desulfobacter postgatei are ubiquitous anaerobic bacteria which grow on acetate or acetate plus sulfate, respectively, as sole energy sources. Their apparent K s values for acetate were determined and found to be approximately 0.2 mM for the sulfate-reducing bacterium and 3 mM for the methanogenic bacterium. In mixed cell suspensions of the two bacteria (adjusted to equal V max) the rate of acetate consumption by D. postgatei approached 15-fold the rate of M. barkeri at low acetate concentrations. The apparent inhibition of methanogenesis was of the same order as expected from the different K s value for acetate. Difference in substrate affinities can thus account for the inhibition of methanogenesis from acetate in sulfate-rich environments, where the acetate concentration is well below 1 mM.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00407967
