Dimethylsulfoxide reduction by marine sulfate-reducing bacteria

Abstract Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) reduction occurred in five out of nine strains of sulfate-reducing bacteria from marine or saline environments, but not in three freshwater isolates. DMSO reduction supported growth in all positive strains. In Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain PA2805, DMSO reduction occurred simultaneously with sulfate reduction and was not effectively inhibited by molybdate, a specific inhibitor of sulfate reduction. The growth yield per mol lactate was 26% higher with DMSO than with sulfate as electron acceptor. In extracts of cells of strain PA2805 grown on sulfate, a low level of DMSO-reducing activity was present (0.013 μmol (mg protein)⁻ min⁻); higher levels were found in cells grown on DMSO (0.56 μmol (mg protein)⁻ min⁻). In anoxic marine environments DMSO reduction by sulfate-reducing bacteria may lead to enhanced dimethylsulfide emission rates.