Continuous culture of Thiorhodaceae

Summary In sulfide limited continuous culture of a marine isolate of Chromatium vinosum, sulfide was undetectable in steady states below dilution rates of 0.06h^-1, that is 1/2 of the maximum specific growth rate. In the same range, sulfur is assumed to attain the role of the growth rate limiting substrate. Furthermore, it could be shown that the rate of sulfur oxidation is a function of the surface area of the sulfur globules rather than of the sulfur concentration. In completely filled chemostats, steady states were obtainable only at dilution rates not exceeding 0.09 h^-1. In the presence of a nitrogen flushed gas phase, steady states were obtained at dilution rates approaching the maximum specific growth rate (0.12h^-1). This phenomenon is ascribed to the particular sulfide tolerance of our strain of Chromatium vinosum. The saturation constant and the inhibition constant (lowest, respectively highest total sulfide concentration at which the specific growth rate is equal to one-half of the maximum specific growth rate in the absence of inhibition) were 0.007 mM and 0.85 mM, respectively.The ecological significance of the data is discussed.Contribution No. 2406 from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.     

Die Carotinoide der Thiorhodaceae

Zusammenfassung Chromatium warmingii enthält außer Lycopin und Rhodopin drei weitere bisher nicht beschriebene Carotinoide. Das eine (Pigment 3) mit Lycopin-Chromophor ist wahrscheinlich ein Hydroxy-Derivat von Rhodopin (1,2-Dihydro-1-OH-Lycopin); die zweite Hydroxylgruppe ist sekundär. Die sehr ähnlichen Spektren der beiden anderen gehören zu dem verschwommenen Typus der Keto-Carotinoide. Das Hauptcarotinoid, das zu 73% der Gesamtcarotinoide enthalten war, wurde Warmingon (Pigment 2) genannt. Warmingon, liefert bei LiAlH₄-Reduktion Pigment 3. Die für die vorhandenen Carotinoide nachgewiesenen engen chemischen Beziehungen deuten auf ihre biosynthetische Verwandtchaft hin.

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Summary Besides lycopene and rhodopin, Chromatium warmingii contains three new carotenoids, not previously described. One (Pigment 3) with a lycopene chromophore, is presumably a hydroxy-derivative of rhodopin (1,2-dihydro-1-OH-lycopene); the second hydroxyl group is secondary. The two other pigments are keto-carotenoids with a common chromophoric system. The main carotenoid, which accounted for 73% of the total carotenoid content of this organism, has been named warmingone (Pigment 2). Warmingone afforded Pigment 3 on LiAlH₄-reduction. A close chemical relationship between the carotenoids present has been established, which in turn suggests their biosynthetic interrelationship.

     

Die Verwertung einfacher organischer Substrate durch Thiorhodaceae

Zusammenfassung Es wurden 22 Gram-negative, Bacteriochlorophyll a enthaltende Stämme der Thiorhodaceae auf die Fähigkeit untersucht, verschiedene anorganische und organische Verbindungen als Wasserstoff-Donatoren und gegebenenfalls als Kohlenstoff-Quelle in Gegenwart von Bicarbonat und einer geringen Menge Sulfid als Reduktionsmittel und Schwefelquelle anaerob im Licht zu nutzen.Allen geprüften Stämmen ist die Eigenschaft gemeinsam, mit Sulfid, elementarem Schwefel, Acetat und Pyruvat zu wachsen.Mit Thiosulfat können Chromatium warmingii, Chromatium weissei, Chromatium okenii und zwei Thiocystis-Stämme nicht wachsen.Malat, Succinat und Fumarat werden von Stamm D-ähnlichen Chromatien, Thiocapsa floridana und einem Thiocystis-Stamm verwertet.Fettsäure (ab drei C-Atomen) können von den meisten Stämmen nicht genutzt werden. Viele Stämme werden insbesondere durch die höheren Fettsäuren im Wachstum gehemmt.Von den Zuckern erwiesen sich nur Glucose und Fructose bei wenigen Stämmen als geeignetes Substrat.Methanol und Äthanol werden nicht verwertet. Propanol wird durch einen Thiocystis-Stamm und Glycerin durch alle Thiocapsa-Stämme genutzt.Die Ergebnisse werden hinsichtlich ihrer taxonomischen Bedeutung diskutiert.

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Assimilation of simple organic compounds by Thiorhodaceae

Summary Twenty two gram-negative bacteriochlorophyll a containing strains of Thiorhodaceae were examined for the ability to utilize various inorganic compounds as hydrogen donors. Various organic compounds were tested for their ability to serve as both hydrogen donor and carbon source. A small amount of sulfide was employed as both reduction agent and sulfur source. all experiments were conducted in the presence of bicarbonate.All strains could be grown on one of the following substances: sulfide, elemental sulfur, acetate, or pyruvate.With thiosulfate Chromatium warmingii, Chromatium weissei, Chromatium okenii and two strains of Thiocystis could not grow.Malate, succinate and fumarate were used by several strains of Chromatium similar to strain D as well as by Thiocapsa floridana and one strain of Thiocystis.Fatty acids with three or more carbon atoms were not utilized by most strains; in addition, many strains were inhibited by the higher fatty acids.A few strains could grow on glucose or fructose. Methanol and ethanol were not utilized. One strain of Thiocystis could utilize propanol. All Thiocapsa strains could grow on glycerol.The results were discussed with respect to their significance to the taxonomy of Thiorhodaceae.

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Diese Arbeit wurde durch Forschungsmittel des Landes Niedersachsen und des Bundesministeriums für wissenschaftliche Forschung gefördert.     

Nitrogen fixation and photoproduction of molecular hydrogen by Thiorhodaceae

Summary Nitrogen fixation has been shown to be a characteristic of two previously untested strains of the purple sulfur bacteriumChromatium sp.Chromatium strains have been shown to produce molecular hydrogen when suppliedD-L malate and bicarbonate in the presence of light and the absence of exogenous ammonia and molecular nitrogen. These results are discussed in relation to current findings on the nitrogen metabolism of the photosynthetic bacteria. Supported in part by grants from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the Research Committee of the Graduate School from funds provided by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.     

Carotenoids of cryptophyceae

The carotenoids of selected Cryptophyceae, Rhodomonas D3 and Cryptomonas ovata, have been examined by methods including HPLC, mass spectrometry ¹H NMR and circular dichroism. $\text{3′R,6′R-}\text{Chirality}$ has been assigned to monadoxanthin from ¹H NMR and CD data; β,?-carotene possessed the common $\text{6′R-}\text{chirality}$. The quantitative distribution pattern of carotenoids in Cryptophyceae established here and previously, totalling five species' is discussed in chemosystematic context. β,?-Carotene (3–8% of total) is the major carotene, accompanied by ?,?-carotene (0.2%), β,β-carotene (0–1%) and lycopene (0-trace). Zeaxanthin (2%) was identified in C. ovate. The diacetylenic alloxanthin is the major carotenoid (70–88%), and the monoacetylenic crocoxanthin (5–15%) and monadoxanthin (0–16%) less abundant. No epoxidic or allenic carotenoids could be detected. The biosynthetic precursor of acetylenic carotenoids in this primitive algal class is discussed. The significance of Cryptophyceae in the marine food chain is commented on, using alloxanthin as an indicator.     

Carotenoids of Rhizobia

With increasing concentrations in the growth medium of the cyclization inhibitors nicotine or 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)-triethylamine hydrochloride (CPTA) the previously identified bicyclic carotenoids of Rhizobium lupini (2,3,2,3-tetrahydroxy-,-caroten-4-one and 2,3,2,3-tetrahydroxy-,-carotene) were successively replaced by hitherto unknown monocyclic carotenoids. By application of mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy 3 carotenoids were identified as 2,3-trans-dihydroxy-,-caroten-4-one, 2,3-trans-dihydroxy-,-carotene, and 3-hydroxy-,-caroten-4-one. A further compound was tentatively established as (2- or 3-)monohydroxy-,-carotene. It was found that other inhibitors such as diphenylamine or 4-chloro-5-(dimethylamino)-2-,,(trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3-(2H)-pyridazinone (San 6706) did not affect the pigment pattern. The results are discussed in relation to carotenoid biosynthesis in Rhizobium lupini.Abbreviations CPTA 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)-triethylamine hydrochloride - San 6706 4-chloro-5-(dimethylamino)-2-,,-(trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3-(2H)-pyridazinone     

Carotenoids of thiorhodaceae

Summary The carotenoid composition of 25 pure isolates of Thiorhodaceae has been studied. The 17 carotenoids encountered can, on the basis of chemical and biochemical considerations, be grouped into the spirilloxanthin, okenone and warmingone series. Most of the isolates examined synthesize carotenoids belonging to one of these groups only—the so-called normal spirilloxanthin series being the most common.The distribution pattern of carotenoids in phototrophic bacteria in general is briefly discussed, and the implications of the carotenoid composition in the taxonomy of the sulphur purple bacteria are evaluated.

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Zusammenfassung Die Carotinoid-Zusammensetzung von 25 Thiorhodaceae-Stämmen wurde untersucht. Aus chemischen und biochemischen Gründen können die 17 aufgefundenen Carotinoide in die Spirilloxanthin-, Okenon- und Warmingon-Reihen zusammengefaßt werden. Die meisten der untersuchten Stämme bilden Carotinoide, die nur zu einer dieser Gruppen gehören, von denen die sogenannte normale Spirilloxanthin-Reihe am häufigsten vorkommt. Das Verteilungsmuster der Carotinoide bei phototrophen Bakterien wird kurz dargestellt und der Wert der Carotinoid-Zusammensetzung für die Taxonomie der Schwefel-Purpurbakterien diskutiert.

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No. III of this series Arch. Mikrobiol. 46, 138 (1963).     

Carotenoids in gymnosperms

The presence of 14 leaf carotenoids was studied in 26 species of gymnosperms. Rhodoxanthin was present in all the species of the Taxaceae, Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae.     

Carotenoids of Some Apples

Three varieties of crab apples and two varieties of eating appleshave been investigated for their carotenoid contents. ß-caroteneis not always the major carotenoid and epoxy-carotenoids arefound in fairly large amounts. There are relatively more carotenesthan xanthophylls in two of the crab apples while the reverseis observed in the eating apples studied. Cox's Orange Pippincontains 33 I.U. of vitamin A activity, Golden Delicious 3.6,while the crab apple Golden Hornet has 132 I.U. per gramme dryweight. Further, the peel has a greater concentration of carotenoidsthan the flesh except in the crab apple Pyrus baccata wherethe ratio is 1: 1     

Carotenoids of Marine Sponges

The 42 identified carotenoids isolated from 36 different marine spontes may, from structural considerations, be divided into four groups; (a) native phytoplankton-type carotenoids; (b) intact carotenoids of possible zooplankton origin, 9c) intact carotenoids of probable bacterial of fungal origin; and (d) sponge metabolized carotenoids. Groups (a) and (d) are the major categories, group (d) comprises several mono- and diaryl carotenoids and some oxygenated carotenoids so far peculiar to the Demospongiae. Chemosystematic considerations suggest that highest capacity for carotenoid accumulation and transformation is to be found within the orders Poecilosclerida and Axinellida, which exhibit similar carotenoid patterns. The screening of carotenoids in 34 coloured species from the Australian RRIMP collection showed a total carotenoid content of 0.1–90 × 10^?3% of the ry wt. individual carotenoids were characterized for 16 species including 11 previously known carotenoids, two new partly characterized methoxylated carotenoids and some phenolic carotenoids.     

Carotenoids of Rowan Berries

The berries of Sorbus aucuparia have been investigated for theircarotenoid contents. The pigments identified were: phytofluene,-, ß-carotene, cryptoxanthin, monoepoxy--carotene,monoepoxy-ß-carotene, aurochrome, and mutatochrome.Usually when green fruits ripen the control of carotenoid synthesisis removed when the chlorophylls disappear, there is a rapidincrease of carotenoids in an over-all oxidative manner anddifferent carotenoids appear. However, the results obtainedsuggest that a different mechanism takes place in S. aucuparia.This may be the exception that proves the rule.     

Carotenoids of the dinophyceae

The carotenoids of the photosynthetic dinofiagellates Amphidinium carterae (two strains), Glenodinium sp.,Gymnodinium splendens, G. nelsoni and Gyrodinium dorsum have been investigated, quantitatively and qualitatively. Peridinin is the principal carotenoid in all species; also present are β-carotene, diadinoxanthin, dinoxanthin, pyrrhoxanthin, astaxanthin, peridininol, diatoxanthin and pyrrhoxanthinol. New structures have been assigned to dinoxanthin and pyrrhoxanthin while peridininol and pyrrhoxanthinol are new carotenoids not previously reported. A carotenoid glycoside, P-457, found in four species, is a hexoside. Dinoxanthin is the only, plausible biosynthetic precursor of peridinin that could be detected.     

Carotenoids in Yellow-Pigmented Enterococci

Pigments extracted from three strains of yellow enterococci showed the spectral and solvent partition characteristics of carotenoids. An unusual C(32) carotenoid aldehyde appears to predominate.