Comparison of Energy and Growth Yields for Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans during Utilization of Chlorophenol and Various Traditional Electron Acceptors

Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans grew with formate as the electron donor and 3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenylacetate (3-Cl-4-OHPA) as the electron acceptor, yielding Y(X/formate), Y(X/2e), and Y(X/ATP) ranging from 3.2 to 11.3 g of biomass (dry weight)/mol, thus indicating that energy was conserved through reductive dechlorination. Pyruvate was utilized as the electron donor and acceptor, yielding stoichiometric amounts of acetate and lactate, respectively, and a Y(X/reduced acceptor) of 13.0 g of biomass (dry weight)/mol. The supplementation of pyruvate-containing medium with additional electron acceptors, such as 3-Cl-4-OHPA, nitrate, fumarate, or sulfite, caused pyruvate to be replaced as the electron acceptor and nearly doubled the Y(X/ATP) (Y(X/acetate formed)). A comparison of the yields for 3-Cl-4-OHPA with those for other traditional electron acceptors indicates that the dehalogenation reaction led to the formation of similar amounts of energy equivalents. The various electron acceptors were used concomitantly with 3-Cl-4-OHPA in nonacclimated cultures, but the utilization rates and amounts utilized differed.     

Cultivation of microplantlets derived from the marine red alga Agardhiella subulata in a stirred tank photobioreactor

Macrophytic marine red algae are a diverse source of bioactive natural compounds. "Microplantlet" suspension cultures established from red algae are potential platforms for biosynthesis of these compounds, provided suitable bioreactor configurations for mass culture can be identified. The stirred tank bioreactor offers high rates of gas-liquid mass transfer, which may facilitate the delivery of the CO(2) in the aeration gas to the phototrophic microplantlet suspension culture. Therefore, the effects of impeller speed and CO(2) delivery on the long-term production of microplantlet biomass of the model red alga Agardhiella subulata was studied within a stirred tank photobioreactor equipped with a paddle blade impeller (D(i)/D(T) = 0.5). Nutrient medium replacement was required for sustained biomass production, and the biomass yield coefficient based on nitrate consumption was 1.08 +/- 0.09 g dry biomass per mmol N consumed. Biomass production went through two exponential phases of growth, followed by a CO(2) delivery limited growth phase. The CO(2)-limited growth phase was observed only if the specific growth rate in the second exponential phase of growth was at least 0.03 day(-)(1), the CO(2) delivery rate was less than 0.258 mmol CO(2) L(-)(1) culture h(-)(1), and the plantlet density was at least 10 g fresh mass L(-)(1). Increasing the aeration gas CO(2) partial pressure from 0.00035 to 0.0072 atm decreased the cultivation pH from 8.8 to 7.8, prolonged the second exponential phase of growth by increasing the CO(2) delivery rate, and also increased the photosynthetic oxygen evolution rate. Impeller speeds ranging from 60 to 250 rpm, which generated average shear rates of 2-10 s(-)(1), did not have a significant effect on biomass production rate. However, microplantlets cultivated in a stirred tank bioreactor ultimately assumed compact spherical shape, presumably to minimize exposure to hydrodynamic stress.     

Xylose metabolism in Debaryomyces hansenii UFV-170. Effect of the specific oxygen uptake rate

The new yeast Debaryomyces hansenii UFV-170 was tested in this work in batch experiments under variable oxygenation conditions. To get additional information on its fermentative metabolism, a stoichiometric network was proposed and checked through a bioenergetic study performed using the experimental data of product and substrate concentrations. The yeast metabolism resulted to be practically inactive under strict oxygen-limited conditions (qO2 = 12.0 mmol(O2) C-mol(DM)(-1) h(-1)), as expected by the impossibility of regenerating NADH2+. Significant fractions of the carbon source were addressed to both respiration and biomass growth under excess oxygen levels (qO2 > or = 55.0 mmol(O2) C-mol(DM)(-1) h(-1)), thus affecting xylitol yield (Y(P/S) = 0.41-0.52 g g(-1)). Semi-aerobic conditions (qO2 = 26.8 mmol(O2) C-mol(DM)(-1) h(-1)) were able to ensure the best xylitol production performance (Pmax = 76.6 g L(-1)), minimizing the fractions of the carbon source addressed either to respiration or biomass production and increasing Y(P/S) up to 0.73 g g(-1). An average P/O ratio of about 1.0 mol(ATP) mol(O)(-1) allowed estimation of the main kinetic-bioenergetic parameters of the biosystem. The overall ATP requirements of biomass were found to be particularly high and dependent on the oxygen availability in the medium as well as on the physiological state of the culture. Under semi-aerobic and aerobic conditions, they varied in the ranges 13.5-15.4 and 9.74-10.2 mol(ATP) C-mol(DM)(-1), respectively, whereas during the best semi-aerobic bioconversion they progressively increased from 5.68 to 24.7 mol(ATP) C-mol(DM)(-1). After a starting phase of adaptation to the medium, the cell achieved a phase of decelerated growth during which its excellent xylose-to-xylitol capacity kept almost constant after 112 h up to the end of the run.     

Factors affecting the growth and the oil accumulation of marine microalgae, Tetraselmis suecica

Biomass production and oil productivity in microalgae culture are the most important key factors for algal biodiesel production. However, proper culture condition for the biomass production of microalgae is different from that for the oil production of microalgae. A study on the biomass production of Tetraselmis suecica using various light intensities and nitrate concentrations as growth factors was carried out to evaluate proper culture conditions in 20-L batch culture. The effect of nitrate depletion on the oil accumulation was also evaluated with two-stage culture. It took 5 days to reach the stationary phase for the cultures of T. suecica on the light intensities of 108.9 and 133.1 μmol m(-2 )s(-1) with biomass of 0.89 and 0.88 g dcw L(-1), respectively. Biomass productions of 1.07 and 1.00 g dcw L(-1) were obtained with the nitrate concentrations of 18.6 and 24.7 mg L(-1), respectively. The two-stage culture increased oil contents from 7.6 to 17.3% (w/w) and contents of C(16)-C(18) fatty acids from 540.2 to 720.5 mg g(-1) oil. The predominant fatty acid was palmitic acid (C(16:0)) in nitrate depletion group, however, oleic acid (C(18:1)) was predominated in nitrate added groups. The two-stage culture enhanced overall oil productivity of 18.7 mg g(-1) day(-1) which is higher than that of 12.2 mg g(-1) day(-1) in single-stage culture.     

Lipid accumulation and CO2 utilization of Nannochloropsis oculata in response to CO2 aeration

In order to produce microalgal lipids that can be transformed to biodiesel fuel, effects of concentration of CO(2) aeration on the biomass production and lipid accumulation of Nannochloropsis oculata in a semicontinuous culture were investigated in this study. Lipid content of N. oculata cells at different growth phases was also explored. The results showed that the lipid accumulation from logarithmic phase to stationary phase of N. oculata NCTU-3 was significantly increased from 30.8% to 50.4%. In the microalgal cultures aerated with 2%, 5%, 10% and 15% CO(2), the maximal biomass and lipid productivity in the semicontinuous system were 0.480 and 0.142 g L(-1)d(-1) with 2% CO(2) aeration, respectively. Even the N. oculata NCTU-3 cultured in the semicontinuous system aerated with 15% CO(2), the biomass and lipid productivity could reach to 0.372 and 0.084 g L(-1)d(-1), respectively. In the comparison of productive efficiencies, the semicontinuous system was operated with two culture approaches over 12d. The biomass and lipid productivity of N. oculata NCTU-3 were 0.497 and 0.151 g L(-1)d(-1) in one-day replacement (half broth was replaced each day), and were 0.296 and 0.121 g L(-1)d(-1) in three-day replacement (three fifth broth was replaced every 3d), respectively. To optimize the condition for long-term biomass and lipid yield from N. oculata NCTU-3, this microalga was suggested to grow in the semicontinuous system aerated with 2% CO(2) and operated by one-day replacement.     

Bioethanol production from Scenedesmus obliquus sugars: the influence of photobioreactors and culture conditions on biomass production

A closed-loop vertical tubular photobioreactor (PBR), specially designed to operate under conditions of scarce flat land availability and irregular solar irradiance conditions, was used to study the potential of Scenedesmus obliquus biomass/sugar production. The results obtained were compared to those from an open-raceway pond and a closed-bubble column. The influence of the type of light source and the regime (natural vs artificial and continuous vs light/dark cycles) on the growth of the microalga and the extent of the sugar accumulation was studied in both PBRs. The best type of reactor studied was a closed-loop PBR illuminated with natural light/dark cycles. In all the cases, the relationship between the nitrate depletion and the sugar accumulation was observed. The microalga Scenedesmus was cultivated for 53 days in a raceway pond (4,500 L) and accumulated a maximum sugar content of 29 % g/g. It was pre-treated for carrying out ethanol fermentation assays, and the highest ethanol concentration obtained in the hydrolysate fermented by Kluyveromyces marxianus was 11.7 g/L.     

Metabolic flux distribution in Corynebacterium melassecola ATCC 17965 for various carbon sources

The distribution of carbon in the metabolic network of a bacterial cell was estimated by a mass-balance-based intracellular flux computation method. It was applied to the growth phase of Corynebacterium melassecola, a glutamic acid producing bacterium, using experimental production yields of biomass, lactate and acetate measured during batch cultures on glucose, fructose, and various mixtures of both sugars. This flux computation method identifies the direction of the 86 reactions that ensure proper metabolic function during the growth phase of C. melassecola. Flux ratios allow comparison of calculated and relevant experimental yields. The results highlight the key influence of the biomass production yield Y(X-O(2) ) on the overall distribution of carbon; the proportion of carbon drained in the pentose-P pathway fell from a value in the range of 54% to 47% on media containing glucose (Y(X-O(2) ) = 1.75 to 1.56 g X/g O(2)) to 37% on fructose medium (Y(X-O(2) ) = 1.36 g X/g O(2)). The highest maintenance requirement was calculated on fructose medium (J(m) = 290 mol ATP/100 mol fructose) which must be connected to a lower efficiency of cell multiplication observed on this substrate. Another important result was that the significant decreases in experimental values of production yields and rates observed on fructose medium which were related to the operation of the FBPase. In particular, it was estimated that, as long as the proportion of glucose in the carbon source remains above 22% (78% fructose), the operation of the FBPase is not necessary and the bacteria exhibit behavior similar to that observed on glucose alone; this result is consistent with experimental observations. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of batch single cell protein production from rice polishings with Candida utilis in continuously aerated tank reactors

Single cell protein was produced from the defatted rice polishings by fermentation with Candida utilis in an aerated 14-L fermentor to optimize bioprocess variables. Maximum values of specific growth rate coefficient (mu, h(-1)), cell mass yield (Y(X/S), g/g) and cell mass productivity (g/Lh) were 0.31, 0.65, and 1.24, respectively under optimized conditions of aeration rate (1 v.v(-1) m(-1)), dissolved oxygen (50%), corn steep liquor (5%), temperature (35 degrees C), and substrate concentration (90 g rice polishings/L) in yeast salt medium (pH 6.0). The kinetic parameters for 50-L fermentor under same conditions were 0.33 h(-1), 0.66 g/g, 1.33 g/Lh, 2.25 g/Lh, 1.23 g/Lh, 0.45 g/g substrate and 0.20 g/g cell h for mu, Y(X/S), Q(X), Q(S), Q(CP), Y(TP/S), and q(CP), respectively and were significantly higher than their respective values reported on C. utilis in batch culture studies. This biomass protein contained 23.6%, 32.75%, 11.50%, 12.95%, 10.5%, and 0.275% true protein, crude protein, crude fiber, ash, cellulose and RNA content respectively. This implied that the fermentation process could be up scaled to manufacture animal feed. Gross metabolizable energy content of dried SCP was 29,711 kcal/kg and indicated that the SCP could serve both as energy as well as a protein source. Yeast can replace expensive feed ingredients currently being incorporated in poultry feed and can reduce cost of poultry ration by 0.33 US dollars-0.51 US dollars/100 kg bag and improve the economics of feed production in our country.     

Influence of cultivation conditions on xylose-to-xylitol bioconversion by a new isolate of Debaryomyces hansenii

About 270 yeast isolates were screened for xylitol production using xylose as the sole carbon source. The best isolate, Debaryomyces hansenii UFV-170, released 5.84 g L(-1) xylitol from 10 g L(-1) xylose after 24 h, corresponding to a yield of xylitol on consumed substrate (Y(P/S)) of 0.54 g g(-1). This strain was cultivated batch-wise at variable starting concentrations of xylose (S(o)) and biomass (X(o)) and agitation intensity, in order to improve xylitol production and to evaluate, through simple carbon balances, the influence of these conditions on xylose metabolism. Under the best microaerobic conditions (S(o) = 53 g L(-1), X(o) = 1.4 g L(-1), 200 rpm), xylitol production reached 37.0 g L(-1), corresponding to xylitol volumetric productivity of 1.0 g L(-1)h(-1), specific productivity of 0.22 g g(-1)h(-1) and Y(P/S) = 0.76 g g(-1). Almost 83% of xylose was consumed for xylitol production, the rest being consumed for growth, while respiration was negligible. The new isolate appeared to be a promising alternative for industrial xylitol bioproduction.     

Influence of ammonium chloride feeding time and light intensity on the cultivation of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis

This study dealt with the influence of both the feeding time and light intensity on the fed-batch culture of the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis using ammonium chloride as a nitrogen source. For this purpose, a 2(2) plus star central composite experimental design combined with response surface methodology was employed, and the maximum cell concentration (X(m)), the cell productivity (P(X)), and the yield of biomass on nitrogen (Y(X/N)) were selected as the response variables. The optimum values of X(m) (1,833 mg L(-1)) and Y(X/N) (5.9 g g(-1)) estimated by the model at light intensity of 13 klux and feeding time of 17.2 days were very close to those obtained experimentally under these conditions (X(m) = 1,771 +/- 41 mg L(-1); Y(X/N) = 5.7 +/- 0.17 g g(-1)). The cell productivity was a decreasing function of the ammonium chloride feeding time and a quadratic function of the light intensity. The protein and lipid contents of dry biomass collected at the end of cultivations were shown to decrease with increasing light intensity.     

Production of pullulan by a fed-batch fermentation

Summary In pullulan production from sucrose byAureobasidium pullulans, a sugar concentration higher than 5% (w/v) inhibited cell growth and the production of exopolysaccharide. By a fed-batch fermentation, the inhibitory effects of the high sugar concentration were overcome and 58.0 g/1 of exopolysaccharide were obtained from 10% sucrose.Abbreviations m, n relationship parameters for the growth and non-growth associated product formation - X, Xmax biomass and maximum biomass concentration (g cell/1) - P product concentration (g exopolysaccharide/1) - specific growth rate of cell (hr^–1)     

利用木糖-葡萄糖为原料产乙醇酵母的筛选、鉴定及发酵试验

建立筛选利用木糖为碳源产乙醇酵母模型,获得一株适合利用木质纤维素为原料产乙醇的酵母菌株。样品经麦芽汁培养基培养后,以木糖为唯一碳源的筛选培养基初筛,再以重铬酸钾显色法复筛。通过生理生化和26D1/D2区对筛选得到的菌株进行分析和鉴定,该菌初步鉴定为Pichia caribbica。经过筛选得到的菌株Y2-3以木糖（40g/L）为唯一碳源发酵时：生物量为23.5g/L,木糖利用率为94.7 %,乙醇终产量为4.57 g/L;以混合糖（葡萄糖40 g/L,木糖20 g/L）发酵时：生物量为28.6 g/L,木糖利用率为94.2 %,葡萄糖利用率为95.6%,乙醇终产量为20.6 g/L。Pichia caribbica是可以转化木糖及木糖-葡萄糖混合糖为乙醇的酵母菌株,为利用木质纤维素发酵乙醇的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

Inoculum production of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus microcarpus in an airlift bioreactor

Many important tree species in reforestation programs are dependent on ectomycorrhizal symbiosis in order to survive and grow, mainly in poor soils. The exploitation of this symbiosis to increase plant productivity demands the establishment of inoculum production methods. This study aims to propose an inoculum production method of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus microcarpus (isolate UFSC-Pt116) using liquid fermentation in an airlift bioreactor with external circulation. The fungus grew as dark dense pellets during a batch fermentation at 25.5 degrees C and air inlet of 0.26-0.43 vvm. The maximum biomass (dry weight) achieved in the airlift bioreactor was approximately 5 g.l(-1) after 10-11 days. The specific growth rate (micro(x)) in the exponential phase was 0.576 day(-1), the yield factor (Y(X/S)) 0.418, and the productivity (P(X)) 0.480 g.l(-1).day(-1). This specific growth rate was higher than that observed by other authors during fermentation processes with other Pisolithus isolates. The method seems to be very suitable for biomass production of this fungus. However, new studies on the fungus growth morphology in this system, as well as on the efficiency of the process for the cultivation of other ectomycorrhizal fungi, are necessary. It is also necessary to test the infectivity and efficiency of the inoculum towards the hosts.     

Efficiency assessment of the one-step production of astaxanthin by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis

Continuous cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis under moderate nitrogen limitation represents a straightforward strategy, alternative to the classical two-stage approach, for astaxanthin production by this microalga. Performance of the one-step system has now been validated for more than 40 combinations of dilution rate, nitrate concentration in the feed medium, and incident irradiance, steady state conditions being achieved and maintained in all instances. Specific nitrate input and average irradiance were decisive parameters in determining astaxanthin content of the biomass, as well as productivity of the system. The growth rate of the continuous photoautotrophic cultures was a hyperbolic function of average irradiance. As long as specific nitrate input was above the threshold value of 2.7 mmol/g day, cells performed green and astaxanthin was present at basal levels only. Below the threshold value, under moderate nitrogen limitation conditions, astaxanthin accumulated to reach cellular levels of up to 1.1% of the dry biomass. Increasing irradiance resulted in enhancement of astaxanthin accumulation when nitrogen input was limiting, but never under nitrogen sufficiency. Mean daily productivity values of 20.8 +/- 2.8 mg astaxanthin/L day (1.9 +/- 0.3 g dry biomass/L day) were consistently achieved for a specific nitrate input of about 0.8 mmol/g day and an average irradiance range of 77-110 microE/m(2) s. Models relating growth rate and astaxanthin accumulation with both average irradiance and specific nitrate input fitted accurately experimental data. Simulations provided support to the contention of achieving efficient production of the carotenoid through convenient adjustment of the determining parameters, and yielded productivity estimates for the one-step system higher than 60 mg astaxanthin/L day. The demonstrated capabilities of this production system, as well as its product quality, made it a real alternative to the current two-stage system for the production of astaxanthin-rich biomass.     

不同海拔梯度高寒草地地上生物量与环境因子关系

以新疆天山南坡的巴音布鲁克高寒草地为研究对象,沿海拔每升高100m设置1块样地,共9个样地,研究了海拔梯度变化条件下高寒草地地上生物量与环境因子的关系.研究表明:紫花针茅、羊茅群落分布在海拔2460～2760m,地上生物量为52.2～75.9g.m-2,线叶嵩草 紫花针茅群落分布在海拔2860m,地上生物量为53.2g.m-2,线叶嵩草、天山羽衣草、细果苔草群落分布在海拔2960～3260m,地上生物量为62.1～107.4g.m-2;7—8月平均相对湿度对群落总的地上生物量影响较大;海拔与禾本科的地上生物量呈显著负相关,与莎草科呈显著正相关;7—8月平均气温是决定禾本科和莎草科功能群地上生物量的主导因子,回归方程分别为Y=13.467X-97.284和Y=171.699-15.331X;海拔与平均气温和pH值呈极显著负相关(P<0.01),与平均相对湿度呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与速效N含量和土壤含水量呈显著正相关(P<0.05).     

Production of the copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) with varied composition using different nitrogen sources with Haloferax mediterranei

The extreme haloarchaea Haloferax mediterranei accumulates poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) without the need for specific precursors. In this study, growth kinetics and PHBV synthesis were characterised under nitrogen-excess and nitrogen-limiting conditions in ammonium and, for the first time, nitrate. With excess nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate cultures generated 10.7 g/L biomass containing 4.6 wt% PHBV and 5.6 g/L biomass with 9.3 wt% PHBV, respectively. Copolymer composition varied with the nitrogen source used: PHBV from ammonium cultures had 16.9 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV), while PHBV from nitrate cultures contained 12.5 mol% HV. Nitrogen limitation was achieved with carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) molar ratios of 25 or higher. Nitrogen limitation reduced biomass generation and polymer concentration, but polymer accumulation increased to 6.6 and 9.4% for ammonium and nitrate, respectively, with C/N 42. PHBV composition was also affected and cultures with lower C/N ratios produced richer HV polymers. Copolymer formation was not a uniform process: HV was only detected after a minimum accumulation of 0.45 g/L PHB and lasted for a maximum of 48 h. The understanding of copolymer synthesis and the influence of culture conditions such as the nitrogen source will help in designing novel strategies for the production of PHBV with more regular structure and material properties.

     

不同种类无机盐对灰毡毛忍冬“渝蕾1号”悬浮培养体系中细胞生长和绿原酸含量的影响

为提高灰毡毛忍冬"渝蕾1号"悬浮培养体系中绿原酸的含量,该研究探讨了B_5培养基中不同浓度的无机盐对灰毡毛忍冬"渝蕾1号"悬浮培养细胞生物量及绿原酸含量的影响,通过在悬浮培养体系中添加不同浓度的无机盐,采用重量法测定灰毡毛忍冬"渝蕾1号"悬浮培养细胞的生物量及采用高效液相色谱法测定绿原酸的含量。结果表明:当硝态氮和铵态氮配比与B_5培养基中硝态氮和铵态氮配比一致时,即NO_3~-/NH_4~+摩尔比值为13∶1时,培养体系有利于细胞的生长和绿原酸的积累。当KNO_3浓度为3.5 g·L~(-1)时,细胞生物量达到最大,为19.26 g·L~(-1);当KNO_3在较低浓度(0.5 g·L~(-1)和1.5 g·L~(-1))时,积累较多的绿原酸。NO_3~-的两项研究结果均与对照浓度(2.5g·L~(-1))有一定的差异。另外,对(NH_4)_2SO_4来说,在高于对照浓度0.134 g·L~(-1),即浓度为0.268 g·L~(-1)时,生物量和绿原酸含量都达到了最大。P、Ca、Mg三种矿质元素的研究结果表明,当Na H_2PO_4·2H_2O浓度为0.10 g·L~(-1)、Ca Cl_2的浓度为0.20 g·L~(-1)时,细胞的生长和绿原酸的积累均可达到最大值;而对Mg~(2+)来说,低浓度促进细胞的生长,高浓度促进绿原酸的积累。兼顾细胞生物量和绿原酸含量两个指标,需选择适中的浓度。这些结果均与对照浓度有一定的差异。这说明灰毡毛忍冬"渝蕾1号"悬浮细胞所需无机盐的浓度与B_5培养基无机盐的浓度有一定的差异,选择适宜的浓度可促进其悬浮细胞的生长及次生代谢产物绿原酸的积累。该研究结果为绿原酸的工业化生产打下了基础。     

磷对霍山石斛类原球茎悬浮培养细胞生长和多糖合成的影响

在确定了最适接种量和外植体细胞生理时间的基础上,研究了在不同起始磷浓度下,霍山石斛类原球茎生长、碳、氮消耗和多糖积累的动力学特性。以生长30d的类原球茎为材料,在接种量为100g/L时,类原球茎生长的最佳起始磷浓度为2.5mmol/L,培养36d时,类原球茎鲜重达496.5g/L。动力学分析表明,磷是霍山石斛类原球茎生长的限制性因素,胞内磷的积累水平与细胞生长具有相关性,2.5mmol/L的磷酸盐有利于碳、氮等营养物质的吸收;而多糖积累的最佳起始磷浓度为0.312mmol/L,培养36d时,其产量为2.22g/L。     

Engineering of the redox imbalance of Fusarium oxysporum enables anaerobic growth on xylose

Dissimilatory nitrate reduction metabolism, of the natural xylose-fermenting fungus Fusarium oxysporum, was used as a strategy to achieve anaerobic growth and ethanol production from xylose. Beneficial alterations of the redox fluxes and thereby of the xylose metabolism were obtained by taking advantage of the regeneration of the cofactor NAD(+) during the denitrification process. In batch cultivations, nitrate sustained growth under anaerobic conditions (1.21 g L(-1) biomass) and simultaneously a maximum yield of 0.55 moles of ethanol per mole of xylose was achieved, whereas substitution of nitrate with ammonium limited the growth significantly (0.15 g L(-1) biomass). Using nitrate, the maximum acetate yield was 0.21 moles per mole of xylose and no xylitol excretion was observed. Furthermore, the network structure in the central carbon metabolism of F. oxysporum was characterized in steady state. F. oxysporum grew anaerobically on [1-(13)C] labelled glucose and unlabelled xylose in chemostat cultivation with nitrate as nitrogen source. The use of labelled substrate allowed the precise determination of the glucose and xylose contribution to the carbon fluxes in the central metabolism of this poorly described microorganism. It was demonstrated that dissimilatory nitrate reduction allows F. oxysporum to exhibit typical respiratory metabolic behaviour with a highly active TCA cycle and a large demand for NADPH.