以亚硝氮为唯一氮源生长的海洋紫色硫细菌去除无机三态氮

【目的】揭示以亚硝氮为唯一氮源生长的海洋紫色硫细菌去除水体中无机三态氮的特征和规律。【方法】在光照厌氧环境下,以乙酸盐为唯一有机物,在分别以氨氮、亚硝态氮、硝态氮为唯一氮源和三氮共存的模拟水体中,采用Nessler’s试剂分光光度法、N-(1-萘基)-乙二胺分光光度法和紫外分光光度法分别测定水体中氨氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮的含量,比浊法测定菌体生物量。【结果】随着时间的延长,海洋紫色硫细菌Marichromatium gracile YL28分别在氨氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮为唯一氮源的水体中对三氮的去除量增加,生物量增大,水体pH升高,并逐渐趋于平衡;YL28对氨氮的最大去除量和最大耐受浓度分别为9.64 mmol/L和36.64 mmol/L,当氨氮浓度低于3.21 mmol/L时,去除率可达97.61%以上;与氨氮相比,以亚硝态氮和硝态氮为唯一氮源,菌体的生长速率、生物量和水体最终pH较低,但对亚硝态氮和硝态氮的去除速率和去除量仍然很高,当亚硝态氮和硝态氮浓度分别达13.50 mmol/L和22.90 mmol/L时,YL28仍能够完全去除。在三氮共存的水体中,YL28也能良好的去除无机三态氮,对亚硝态氮和硝态氮去除能力更强。【结论】在模拟水体中,海洋紫色硫细菌YL28能够分别以氨氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮为唯一氮源生长,具有良好的耐受和去除无机三态氮的能力,尤其对亚硝态氮具有良好的去除能力。本研究为进一步开发高效脱氮,尤其是去除亚硝态氮的不产氧光合细菌水质调节剂奠定了基础,也为微生物制剂的合理应用提供参考。     

有机碳对海洋着色菌YL28去除无机三态氮的影响

【目的】在无机三态氮(氨氮、亚硝氮和硝氮)共存的模拟海水水体中,阐明有机碳尤其是海藻寡糖对海洋着色菌(Marichromatium gracile)YL28生长及去除无机三态氮的影响规律。【方法】采用次溴酸钠氧化法、N-(1-萘基)-乙二胺分光光度法和紫外分光光度法分别测定水体中氨氮、亚硝氮和硝氮的含量,菌体生物量采用比浊法测定。【结果】在光照厌氧环境中,小分子有机酸盐(乙酸钠、丙酮酸钠、琥珀酸钠和柠檬酸钠)是YL28生长和去除无机三态氮的良好有机碳,亚硝氮、硝氮和氨氮去除率分别达到97.92%、99.98%、73.23%-87.15%。单糖(葡萄糖和果糖)、双糖(麦芽糖和蔗糖)和寡糖(壳寡糖和海藻寡糖)是YL28可利用的有机碳,亚硝氮和硝氮去除率分别达到99%和87%以上,氨氮去除率在44.82%-54.53%之间。多糖(β-环糊精、淀粉、黄原胶、琼脂粉、海藻酸钠和卡拉胶)不是菌体利用和去除无机三态氮的有机碳。酵母提取物可作为菌体生长、去除硝氮和亚硝氮的良好有机碳,但严重抑制氨氮去除。海藻酸钠、β-环糊精和卡拉胶分别与乙酸钠共存时,YL28生长和对无机三态氮去除能力与乙酸钠为唯一有机碳的水平相当。乙酸钠体系中添加海藻寡糖,YL28生长速率、最大生物量以及氨氮的去除速率和最大去除率均升高,添加酵母提取物时,生长速率和最大生物量升高,但氨氮去除速率和最大去除率降低。黑暗厌氧环境下,以乙酸钠和氨氮为唯一有机碳和氮源时,YL28不生长,但在无机三态氮共存时,则能良好生长并去除无机三态氮。【结论】在无机三态氮共存海水体系和厌氧条件下,无论是光照还是黑暗环境,YL28均能良好地生长和去除无机三态氮,小分子有机酸盐(乙酸钠、丙酮酸钠、琥珀酸钠、柠檬酸钠)是其良好的有机碳,相对而言,乙酸钠和丙酮酸钠更好。海藻寡糖与乙酸钠复合可提高菌体生长和脱氮能力。本研究为研制开发高效脱氮微生物制剂及其合理性应用提供了指导。     

铁对产铁载体的沼泽红假单胞菌光合色素与铁载体合成的影响

【目的】探求铁对1株能产生铁载体的不产氧光合细菌(Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria,APB)光合色素和铁载体合成的影响。【方法】通用CAS法检测铁载体产生,Arnow、Csaky和Shenker法检测铁载体类型;吸收光谱法和HPLC法分析光合色素的组分和含量。【结果】Rhodopseudomonas palustris CQV97能够产生异羟肟酸型铁载体,未添加FeCl3时,铁载体含量最高,铁载体的产生与生长并非关联型。随FeCl3浓度升高,菌体生长潜伏期缩短,生长速率、最终生物量以及细菌叶绿素(Bacteriochlorophyll,BChl)a和类胡萝卜素(Carotenoid,Car)含量均提高,而检测到的游离铁载体含量降低;菌体积累的BChl a的组成和相对含量未见明显变化,但主要的Car组分由Spirilloxanthin转化为Rhodopin,菌体中积累Car组分的平均共轭体系降低,Car组成的改变与色素提取液的Car特征性光谱蓝移现象相吻合。【结论】首次报道APB能够产生铁载体,CQV97菌株能够产生异羟肟酸型铁载体。阐明了铁对CQV97生长、铁载体产生和光合色素合成的影响规律,这些研究结果为深入开展APB铁载体分离纯化以及生物功能研究奠定了基础。     

一株光合细菌的分离鉴定及该菌对氨氮和亚硝态氮的去除作用

【背景】中国是水产养殖大国,氨氮、亚硝态氮是水体中主要的氮源污染物。水体氨氮超标不仅会损伤水生动物的神经系统和肝肾系统,还会导致体表及内脏充血。亚硝态氮过高会阻碍血液运载氧气能力,导致鱼虾缺氧、免疫力下降,从而引发肠炎、烂鳃,甚至窒息死亡。部分光合细菌有去除水体氨氮、亚硝态氮的能力,且对环境友好无二次污染。【目的】从广东养殖水体分离、纯化、筛选出生物活性好的光合细菌(编号SP3)进行种属鉴定,优化培养条件,检测其去除水体氨氮和亚硝态氮的能力,为养殖水体去除氨氮和亚硝态氮提供目标菌株。【方法】用双层平板法从混合菌液中分离得到光合细菌,通过革兰氏染色、碳源利用试验、对无机电子供体的利用试验以及16SrRNA基因序列分析对目标菌株进行种属鉴定;测定菌株SP3在不同pH、不同浓度NaCl条件下的OD600,优化培养条件;通过测定7d内SP3菌株在不同浓度氨氮(氯化铵配制)和亚硝态氮(亚硝酸钠配制)中OD600的变化趋势,确定该菌株对不同氮源的利用情况;用纳氏比色法、分光光度法测定SP3菌株降解水体氨氮和亚硝态氮的能力。Genome walking扩增获得亚硝酸盐还原酶基因(nirS),通过荧光定量PCR研究nirS在氨氮、亚硝态氮去除过程中的表达动态。【结果】筛选出的菌株SP3为革兰氏阴性菌,短杆状;能以醋酸盐、丙酮酸盐、丙酸盐、丁酸盐、乳酸盐、富马酸盐、琥珀酸盐、苹果酸、果糖、葡萄糖作为碳源,不能以乙醇和丙酮作为碳源;能利用硫化钠、硫代硫酸钠、亚硫酸钠作为无机电子供体; 16SrRNA基因序列分析表明其与沙氏外硫红螺菌(Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii)序列相似度为99%;菌株SP3适宜pH为6.0-8.5,适宜盐度为0-3%;菌株SP3以铵盐作为氮源时生长状态明显优于亚硝酸盐;以初始菌液浓度8.6×109CFU/mL、起始氨氮量84.15±0.58 mg/L的条件培养7 d,水体氨氮累计去除量为79.45±0.29 mg/L,氨氮累计去除率达到94.42%;在同样菌浓度和2mg/L亚硝酸钠的条件下培养5d,水体亚硝态氮含量低于检测限0.003mg/L。在菌株SP3去除氨氮、亚硝态氮过程中nirS相对表达量上调。【结论】菌株SP3为沙氏外硫红螺菌(E.shaposhnikovii),能有效去除水中氨氮和亚硝态氮,具有净化水质作用,在水产养殖和污水处理中有广阔应用前景。     

光氧环境对紫色硫细菌YL28去除无机三态氮的影响

【背景】光和氧是制约光合细菌生长代谢进而影响其除氮效果的重要因素。不产氧光合细菌紫色硫细菌——海洋着色菌(Marichromatium gracile) YL28能以亚硝氮为唯一氮源进行光合生长,对高浓度无机三态氮具有良好去除能力。【目的】阐明YL28菌株除氮效率与光氧环境的交互联系,获得其生物除氮的最适光氧条件。【方法】以高浓度无机三态氮共存海水水体为研究体系,在有光/无光条件下考查装样量(表征体系溶氧状态)对YL28菌株生物除氮活性的影响,并通过响应面分析法对装样量、光照强度和光周期3个主要因素进行优化。【结果】光照且氧浓度较低时(80%装样量),YL28具有最佳生长和无机三态氮去除能力;装样量在10%-100%时,菌体生物量(OD_(660))在0.938-2.719之间,当氨氮、亚硝氮和硝氮分别为7.16、5.67和4.83mmol/L时,其去除率分别在71.44%-89.09%、99.22%-99.83%和91.60%-97.33%。黑暗条件下,装样量在20%-100%时,氨氮、亚硝氮和硝氮去除率分别在48.07%-64.27%、73.51%-86.42%和42.57%-46.34%,但菌体生物量(OD_(660)为0.615-0.903)明显降低。通过响应面优化,当装样量、光照强度和光周期分别为80.0%(溶氧量约为0.32 mg/L)、2 800 lx和24L:0D时,细胞生长和氨氮去除活性达到最佳状态,分别比优化前提高了21.28%和14.11%。在实际应用中,选取72%-89%装样量(溶氧量约为0.26-0.63mg/L)、2240-3460lx光照强度和21L:3D-24L:0D光周期,细胞活性可达95%以上。【结论】80%装样量有助于促进菌体光照生长和除氮;在黑暗有氧和无氧环境下,YL28菌株也具有较好除氮活性,这为不产氧光合细菌在生物反应器中高效去除无机三态氮的应用提供了有价值的参考数据。     

高脱氮活性海洋着色菌YL28生物膜特性

【背景】细菌生物膜在废水处理领域显示出良好的前景,但目前应用于海水养殖水体处理的菌株主要源自淡水菌株,存在难以适应海水高盐环境的问题。源自红树林的海洋着色菌(Marichromatiumgracile)YL28应用于海水养殖水体处理,不仅具有高效除氮能力,而且趋光贴壁能力很强。【目的】阐明海洋着色菌(Marichromatium gracile) YL28的生物膜形成特性和规律,以期为海水养殖水体生物膜反应系统的开发和应用提供参考。【方法】以生物膜和游离菌体生物量、脱氢酶活性、生物膜多糖含量和蛋白含量、无机三态氮去除活性为测定指标,在光照厌氧环境中研究海洋着色菌YL28菌株的生物膜形成规律、生物活性和脱氮效果。【结果】随着时间延长,4 000 lx光照时游离菌体生物量逐渐升高,但在稳定期前快速降低,而成膜生物量经过延滞期后逐渐升高并趋于稳定,表明培养过程中游离菌体能趋光贴壁生长并形成生物膜。在0-5 000 lx光照范围内培养4 d,低光照强度(500 lx)时成膜率(71.21%)最高,1 000-4 000 lx光照强度下成膜率虽然不是最高(54.64%-68.66%),但适宜菌体成膜,膜生物量干重达到0.60-0.80 mg/cm2。除了5 000 lx光照对成膜菌体脱氢酶活性有不利影响外,成膜菌体和游离菌体脱氢酶活性随光照强度升高而升高,而且没有明显差异。生物膜的形成会导致光反应器内部光照受限,但反应器内部游离菌体的脱氢酶活性并没有降低,由此表明,培养液中的菌体主要在生物膜及其界面生长并游离扩散至培养液中。随光照强度(1 000-5 000 lx)和培养时间(4-10 d)的变化,胞外复合物(Extracellularpolymericsubstances,EPS)中蛋白含量变异较大,多糖含量变化较小;随时间延长,蛋白含量升高,其中3 000 lx时蛋白含量最高;4 000 lx时生物膜菌体与游离菌体脱氮活性相比,单位质量菌体的氨氮和亚硝氮去除活性未受到明显影响,而硝氮去除活性有所降低。【结论】海洋着色菌YL28具有良好的生物膜形成能力,其成膜过程主要是菌体趋光贴壁生长成膜,成膜菌体具有良好的脱氮活性,这为利用生物膜系统消除海水养殖水体氮污染奠定了基础。     

沼泽红假单胞菌光合色素的分离、组成分析与光稳定性

【目的】探求光对不产氧光合细菌类胡萝卜素(Car)和细菌叶绿素a(BChl a)稳定性的影响规律。【方法】以沼泽红假单胞菌CQV97为材料,采用硅胶柱层析和HPLC方法进行Car和BChl a组分的纯化和成分分析,采用吸收光谱法研究Car和BChl a组分的光稳定性。【结果】在Car和BChl a组分分离过程中,Car组分回收率高且稳定,而BChl a回收率波动性较大。Car组分中含有6种螺菌黄质系Car和极少量(0.25%)的细菌脱镁叶绿素a。BChl a组分中包含BChl aGG、BChl aDHGG、BChl aTHGG和BChl aP4种成分。Car和BChl a组分在黑暗条件下非常稳定。2 000 lx白炽灯、日光灯和自然光照射时,Car在70 min内非常稳定,但对紫外光敏感,半衰期为11.15 min,BChl a组分对白炽灯、日光灯、自然光和紫外灯的光降解速率常数(min–1)分别为0.169 8、0.028 9、0.213 9和0.026 4,半衰期(min)分别为4.47、29.68、4.20和26.19。【结论】一步硅胶柱层析可同时得到Car和BChl a纯组分。Car对白光相对稳定,对紫外光不稳定。BChl光稳定性很差,分离过程中短期见光是导致BChl a回收率波动性较大的原因,光降解过程中产生了相对稳定的中间产物。该研究结果为光合色素的精制、功能研究和应用提供了理论依据。     

固氮红细菌(Rhodobacter azotoformans) YLK20去除无机氮的影响因素

【背景】不产氧光合细菌(Anoxygenicphototrophicbacteria,APB)作为一类重要的微生物资源,在水产养殖水体氮污染的修复方面已有广泛研究与应用。养殖水体环境复杂,含多种有机物,尤其是有机氮显著影响菌体除氮功效。【目的】在高浓度无机三态氮(氨氮、硝氮和亚硝氮)共存体系中,阐明小分子有机碳、有机氮和盐度对固氮红细菌(Rhodobacter azotoformans) YLK20去除无机三态氮的影响规律及机制,挖掘针对性强和适应性广的高效除氮菌株。【方法】采用RAST和KEGG方法分析YLK20基因组碳氮代谢途径及耐盐机制;采用次溴酸钠氧化法、紫外和N-(1-萘基)-乙二胺分光光度法分别测定氨氮、硝氮和亚硝氮含量。【结果】基因组显示,YLK20拥有EMP、HMP、TCA、固氮、氨化、氨同化和反硝化碳氮代谢途径,含有soh B、nha C、bet B和gbs A等多种耐盐基因。丙酮酸钠、乙酸钠、柠檬酸钠、乙醇和甘露醇是YLK20生长和去除无机三态氮的良好有机碳,葡萄糖和果糖的存在降低了无机三态氮去除能力,蔗糖体系中硝氮和亚硝氮能被良好去除,但氨氮去除能力较低。在高浓度蛋白胨(3.21 g/L)和尿素(1.43 g/L)体系中,YLK20仍能高效去除无机三态氮。YLK20能在3%盐度内生长良好,低盐度时该菌株能良好去除无机三态氮,高盐度时亚硝氮去除能力受到严重抑制。YLK20对海水和淡水实际养殖水体中的无机三态氮有良好去除效果。【结论】YLK20主要通过氨同化和反硝化途径去除无机三态氮,尤其在高浓度有机氮环境中也能高效去除;该菌株适应盐度范围广,兼可适用于淡水和海水养殖水体;该菌株生长和无机三态氮去除影响因素、规律及除氮机制的阐明,可为APB微生物制剂的合理应用提供指导。     

4种理化因子对菌株XH1硝化效果的影响

【背景】基于硝化菌群的富集培养技术可高效稳定地去除养殖水体中的有害氮素,而当前在水产养殖领域有关硝化菌群定向培育及硝化功能菌株的研究较少。【目的】研究不同盐度、pH、温度、通气量条件下硝化菌群分离菌株XH1的生长及其对氨氮和亚硝氮的去除效果。【方法】设置不同梯度的盐度、pH、温度、通气量条件,通过计数菌量、测定氨氮及亚硝氮的浓度变化,比较不同条件下菌株XH1的生长及其对氨氮和亚硝氮的影响。【结果】菌株XH1可在盐度5‰-35‰、pH 6.0-9.0、温度15-45°C和通气量0.5-1 V/(V·min)的条件下生长良好,菌量最高可达2.34×109cells/mL;在盐度5‰-35‰、pH 6.0-9.0、温度15-30°C、通气量0.5 V/(V·min)的条件下,对氨氮的去除效果显著(P0.05),在第1-3天对培养液中氨氮的最高去除率可达86%-97%,但培养液中的氨氮浓度先降后升;对亚硝氮的最高去除率达68%。【结论】菌株XH1对盐度、pH、温度等主要环境因子具有良好的适应性,其对水体氨氮的去除效果良好,可作为中低盐度养殖池塘水体氨氮防控菌剂产品研发的备选菌株。     

沼泽红假单胞菌(Rhodopseudomonas palustris)CQV97对无机三态氮共存水体中氮素的去除效率及其影响因素

研究水体环境因素(温度、光照和pH)、小分子有机碳和有机氮化合物对一株具有高效脱氮潜力的沼泽红假单胞菌(Rhodopseudomonas palustris)CQV97在无机三态氮共存体系中脱除无机三态氮的影响规律。结果显示,该菌株在20~40℃,500~5 000lux,pH 6.0~9.0环境条件下,能够脱除高浓度无机三态氮(其中亚硝氮不低于40mg·L-1),表明该菌株具有较强的适应复杂环境的能力;以乙酸钠/乙醇为唯一碳源时,该菌株能有效地去除无机三态氮,而以葡萄糖为唯一碳源时,能有效去除硝氮,但不能去除氨氮,亚硝氮明显积累,表明环境中小分子有机碳源影响菌体对无机三态氮的去除能力;体系中添加高浓度(120mg·L-1)蛋白胨或尿素时,由于有机氮降解的释氨作用,菌体对氨氮的去除能力受到明显抑制,氨氮积累明显,13d时氨氮去除率仅分别为16%(蛋白胨)和6%(尿素),但硝氮和亚硝氮的去除能力并没有受到明显影响。异位处理实际水体结果表明,菌株可使水体中氨氮含量明显降低、硝氮和亚硝氮被完全去除。综上,沼泽红假单胞菌CQV97菌株环境适应能力强,具有高效脱除水体无机三态氮的应用潜力,这为进一步开发高效脱氮微生物制剂及其合理使用奠定了基础。     

Identification and Subcellular Distribution of Carotenoids in the Aerobic Photosynthetic Bacterium, Pseudomonas radiora Strain MD-1

The carotenoid compositions in the aerobic methylotrophic photosyntheticbacterium, Pseudomonas radiora (Methylobacterium radiotolerans)strain MD-1, were investigated. Carotenoids bound to the BChl-proteincomplex were identified as spirilloxanthin, anhydrorhodovibrinand rhodovibrin, which have been generally found in purple photosyntheticbacteria. The ratio of BChl a to carotenoid in the BChl-proteincomplex was about 2 to 1. The transfer of excitation energyfrom carotenoids to BChl in the BChl-protein complex was observedalthough its efficiency was as low as that in the purple bacterialcomplexes which have spirilloxanthin as the major carotenoidcomponent. By contrast, carotenoic acids were found as majorforms of carotenoids in the cells, and most of them were notbound to the BChl-protein complex. These carotenoic acids werealso found as the major carotenoids in other methylotrophs thathave been characterized as aerobic photosynthetic bacteria. (Received November 28, 1994; Accepted April 21, 1995)     

Absence of carotenes and presence of a tertiary methoxy group in a carotenoid from a thermophilic filamentous photosynthetic bacterium Roseiflexus castenholzii.

We identified pigments in a thermophilic filamentous photosynthetic bacterium Roseiflexus castenholzii strain HL08. We detected neither bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c nor carotenes in this bacterium cultured under the aerobic dark and the anaerobic light conditions, which may correspond to its lack of chlorosomes. In the cells cultured under the aerobic dark conditions, the carotenoids were derivatives of keto-gamma-carotene, and the major ones were methoxy-keto-myxocoxanthin and keto-myxocoxanthin glucoside fatty acid ester. Although the tertiary methoxy group at C-1' and the double bond at C-3',4' in the psi end group of carotenoid, such as spirilloxanthin, have only been found in purple bacteria, this was the first such report in other bacterial groups. The fatty acid moiety was composed of iso fatty acids, which were rare in the cellular lipids. In the cells cultured under the anaerobic light conditions, in addition to these keto-carotenoids, we also found non-oxidized carotenoids (derivatives of gamma-carotene). Concerning the esterifying alcohol of BChl a, we found a substantial amount of geranylgeraniol, although the major component was phytol. The existence of these pigments makes this bacterium unique among the known species in CHLOROFLEXACEAE.     

Nitrogen transformation under different dissolved oxygen levels by the anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Marichromatium gracile</Emphasis>

Marichromatium gracile: YL28 (M. gracile YL28) is an anoxygenic phototrophic bacterial strain that utilizes ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite as its sole nitrogen source during growth. In this study, we investigated the removal and transformation of ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite by M. gracile YL28 grown in a combinatorial culture system of sodium acetate-ammonium, sodium acetate-nitrate and sodium acetate-nitrite in response to different initial dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. In the sodium acetate-ammonium system under aerobic conditions (initial DO?=?7.20–7.25 mg/L), we detected a continuous accumulation of nitrate and nitrite. However, under semi-anaerobic conditions (initial DO?=?4.08–4.26 mg/L), we observed a temporary accumulation of nitrate and nitrite. Interestingly, under anaerobic conditions (initial DO?=?0.36–0.67 mg/L), there was little accumulation of nitrate and nitrite, but an increase in nitrous oxide production. In the sodium acetate-nitrite system, nitrite levels declined slightly under aerobic conditions, and nitrite was completely removed under semi-anaerobic and anaerobic conditions. In addition, M. gracile YL28 was able to grow using nitrite as the sole nitrogen source in situations when nitrogen gas produced by denitrification was eliminated. Taken together, the data indicate that M. gracile YL28 performs simultaneous heterotrophic nitrification and denitrification at low-DO levels and uses nitrite as the sole nitrogen source for growth. Our study is the first to demonstrate that anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria perform heterotrophic ammonia-oxidization and denitrification under anaerobic conditions.     

The molar extinction coefficient of bacteriochlorophyll e and the pigment stoichiometry in Chlorobium phaeobacteroides

We have determined the molar extinction coefficient of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) e, the main light-harvesting pigment from brown-coloured photosynthetic sulfur bacteria. The extinction coefficient was determined using pure [Pr,E]BChl e_F isolated by reversed-phase HPLC from crude pigment extracts of Chlorobium (Chl.) phaeobacteroides strain CL1401. The extinction coefficients at the Soret and Q_y bands were determined in four organic solvents. The extinction coefficient of BChl e differs from those of other related Chlorobium chlorophylls (BChl c and BChl d) but is similar to that of chlorophyll b. The determined extinction coefficient was used to calculate the stoichiometric BChl e to BChl a and BChl e to carotenoids ratios in whole cells and isolated chlorosomes from Chl. phaeobacteroides strain CL1401 using the spectrum-reconstruction method (SRCM) described by Naqvi et al. (1997) (Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 53: 2229–2234) . In isolated chlorosomes, BChl a content was ca. 1% of the total BChl content and the stoichiometric ratio of BChl e to carotenoids was 6. In whole cells, however, BChl a content was 3–4%, owing to the presence of BChl a-containing elements, i.e. FMO protein and reaction centre. An average of 5 BChl e molecules per carotenoid was determined in whole cells.     

Pigment organization of the B800–850 antenna complex of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

The B800–850 antenna complex of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides was studied by comparing the spectral properties of several different types of complexes, isolated from chromatophores by means of the detergents lithium dodecyl sulfate (LDS) or lauryl dimethylamine N-oxide (LDAO). Fluorescence polarization spectra of the BChl 800 emission at 4 K indicated that rapid energy transfer between at least two BChl 800 molecules occurs with a rate constant of energy transfer k_ET > 3 · 10¹² s^?1. The maximal dipole-dipole distance between the two BChl 800 molecules was calculated to be 18–19 Å. The porphyrin rings of the BChl 800 molecules are oriented parallel to each other, while their Q_y transition moments are mutually perpendicular. The energy-transfer efficiency from carotenoid to bacteriochlorophyll measured in different complexes showed that two functionally different carotenoids are present associated with, respectively, BChl 800 and BChl 850. Fluorescence polarization and linear dichroism spectra revealed that these carotenoids have different absorption spectra and a different orientation with respect to the membrane. The carotenoid associated with BChl 800 absorbs some nanometers more to the red and its orientation is approximately parallel to the membrane, while the carotenoid associated with BChl 850 is oriented more or less perpendicular to the membrane. The fluorescence polarization of BChl 850 was the same for the different complexes. This indicates that the observed polarization of the fluorescence is determined by the smallest complex obtained which contains 8–10 BChl 850 molecules. The B800–850 complex isolated with LDAO thus must consist of a highly ordered array of smaller structures. On basis of these results a minimal model is proposed for the basic unit consisting of four BChl 850 and two BChl 800 and three carotenoid molecules.     

Reconstitution of Okenone into Light Harvesting Complexes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allochromatium minutissimum</Emphasis>

Okenone was reconstituted into light harvesting (LH) complexes of the purple photosynthetic bacterium Allochromatium minutissimum possessing the spirilloxanthin pathway for carotenoid biosynthesis. Suppression of this pathway by diphenylamine, an inhibitor of carotenogenesis, yielded nearly carotenoidless complexes preserving their native spectral properties. Using a previously developed technique, okenone was readily reconstituted into LH1 complex (>90%) whereas its reconstitution into LH2 complex was of low efficacy (10-20%). The absorption band of the reconstituted okenone was shifted to shorter wavelength compared with its position in vivo. This is typical for other reconstituted carotenoids. The reconstitution of okenone was confirmed by Li-DS electrophoresis (in contrast to free okenone the reconstituted okenone migrated with complexes), circular dichroism spectra (reconstituted okenone exhibited optical activity), and fluorescence excitation spectrum (energy transfer from okenone to bacteriochlorophyll was at the control level).     

Oxygen does not directly regulate carotenoid biosynthesis in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata.

We examined the role of bacteriochlorophyll synthesis on the regulation of carotenoid synthesis in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. Strains capable of making bacteriochlorophyll accumulated greater amounts of carotenoids under low oxygen than they did under high oxygen. However, strains unable to produce bacteriochlorophyll did not regulate their carotenoid production in response to changes in oxygen tension. This indicates that oxygen does not directly regulate carotenoid production.     

Phototrophic growth and chlorosome formation in Chloroflexus aurantiacus under conditions of carotenoid deficiency

Chloroflexus aurantiacus was grown phototrophically in the presence of 60 µg of 2-hydroxybiphenyl (HBP) per ml, which inhibited the formation of colored carotenoids up to about 90%, while bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c formation and phototrophic growth were not significantly influenced. When the HBP concentration was increased, the latter two processes became inhibited, yet, no further inhibition of carotenoid formation was possible. The typical shape of chlorosomes was not affected after growth in the presence of 60 µg of HBP per ml. However, the chlorosome dimensions were slightly decreased. Chlorosome preparations from carotenoid-deficient cultures lacked significant amounts of colored carotenoids and exhibited lower buoyant densities than chlorosomes from uninhibited control cultures. As compared on a BChl c basis, the relative contents of the two larger chlorosomal polypeptides of 10.8 and 15.5 kDa (apparent M_r= 11000 and 18000) were not affected by HBP, while formation of the 5.7 kDa (M_r= 3700) polypeptide was inhibited by 50%. The data suggest that, in C. aurantiacus, colored carotenoids are largely dispensable for phototrophic growth and chlorosome formation. Moreover, chlorosome formation and BChl c incorporation into chlorosomes in the absence of about half of the regular amount of the 5.7 kDa polypeptide excludes a constant relationship between these parameters.     

Light-induced red shift of the Qx absorption band of light-harvesting bacteriochlorophyll in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata and Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

In chromatophores from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, the Q_x band(s) of the light-harvesting bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) (λ_max ~590 nm) shifts to the red in response to a light-induced membrane potential, as indicated by the characteristics of the light-minus-dark difference spectrum. In green strains, containing light-harvesting complexes I and II, and one or more of neurosporene, methoxyneurosporene, and hydroxyneurosporene as carotenoids, the absorption changes due to the BChl and carotenoid responses to membrane potential in the spectral region 540–610 nm are comparable in magnitude and overlap with cytochrome and reaction center absorption changes in coupled chromatophores. In strains lacking carotenoid and light-harvesting complex II, the BChl shift absorption change is relatively smaller, due in part to the lower BChl/reaction center ratio.In the carotenoid-containing strains, the peak-to-trough absorption change in the BChl difference spectrum is 5–8% of the peak-to-trough change due to the shift of the longest-wavelength carotenoid band, although the absorption of the BChl band is 25–40% of that of the carotenoid band. The responding BChl band(s) does not appear to be significantly red-shifted in the dark in comparison to the total BChl Q_x band absorption.