Reexamination of the Metabolic Potentials of the Acetogens Clostridium aceticum and Clostridium formicoaceticum: Chemolithoautotrophic and Aromatic Dependent Growth

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-1992

Department

Medical Technology

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

Both Clostridium formicoaceticum and Clostridium aceticum grew chemolithoautotrophically on carbon monoxide plus CO2 in defined medium in the absence of carbohydrates, amino acids, or other carbon and energy sources. Formate supported the growth of both organisms as well in both defined and undefined media (both of which also contained CO2). Hydrogen was stimulatory to the growth of C. formicoaceticum upon first transfer into H2-enriched formate medium; however, neither chemlithoautotrophic growth at the expense of H2 plus CO2 nor hydrogenase could be demonstrated with this acetogen. Consistent with recent findings with other acetogens, numerous aromatic compounds were utilized by C. aceticum and C. formicoaceticum: (i) aromatic methoxyl groups were O-demethylated; (ii) aromatic acrylates were reduced; and (iii) aromatic aldehydes were oxidized. These findings demonstrate th that the metabolic potentials of these two acetogens are greater than previously recognized.

Publication Title

FEMS Microbiology Letters

Volume

95

Issue

1

First Page

49

Last Page

56

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