A direct observation of bacterial coverage and biofilm formation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on chalcopyrite and pyrite surfaces

To obtain a fundamental understanding of the population behaviour of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans at chalcopyrite and pyrite surfaces, the early stage attachment behaviour and biofilm formation by this bacterium on chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) and pyrite (FeS₂) were studied by optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results indicate there was no significant difference in selectivity of bacterial attachment between chalcopyrite and pyrite. However, the result of ToF-SIMS analysis suggests that the surface of the pyrite was covered more extensively by biofilm than that of the chalcopyrite, which may indicate more extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) formation by bacterial cells growing on pyrite. EBSD and optical image analysis indicated that selectivity of bacterial attachment to chalcopyrite was not significantly affected by crystal orientation. The results also suggest that the bacterial population in defective areas of chalcopyrite was significantly higher than on the polished surfaces.     

Attachment of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferriphilum cultured under varying conditions to pyrite, chalcopyrite, low-grade ore and quartz in a packed column reactor

The attachment of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferriphilum spp. grown on ferrous medium or adapted to a pyrite mineral concentrate to four mineral substrata, namely, chalcopyrite and pyrite concentrates, a low-grade chalcopyrite ore (0.5 wt%) and quartzite, was investigated. The quartzite represented a typical gangue mineral and served as a control. The attachment studies were carried out in a novel particle-coated column reactor. The saturated reactor containing glass beads, which were coated with fine mineral concentrates, provided a quantifiable surface area of mineral concentrate and maintained good fluid flow. A. ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum spp. had similar attachment characteristics. Enhanced attachment efficiency occurred with bacteria grown on sulphide minerals relative to those grown on ferrous sulphate in an ore-free environment. Selective attachment to sulphide minerals relative to gangue materials occurred, with mineral adapted cultures attaching to the minerals more efficiently than ferrous grown cultures. Mineral-adapted cultures showed highest levels of attachment to pyrite (74% and 79% attachment for A. ferrooxidans and L. ferriphilum, respectively). This was followed by attachment of mineral-adapted cultures to chalcopyrite (63% and 58% for A. ferrooxidans and L. ferriphilum, respectively). A. ferrooxidans and L. ferriphilum exhibited lower levels of attachment to low-grade ore and quartz relative to the sulphide minerals.     

Continuous Bioleaching of Chalcopyritic Concentrate at High Pulp Density

The main objective of the present study was to investigate the continuous bioleaching of chalcopyrite concentrate at a high pulp density by moderate thermophilic microorganisms. Using a flotation concentrate containing 46% chalcopyrite and 23% pyrite, bioleaching tests were carried out at a high pulp density (15%) and temperature of 47°C using a setup consisting of three continuous stirred tank bioreactors in series. A two-level full factorial design of experiments was used to assess the effects of residence time, particle size and acidity of the leaching solution on the copper recovery. From the results of these tests, we concluded that under the best process conditions (d₈₀ = 30 μm, T = 47°C, and acidity of 130 kg/ton) more than 54% of copper was extracted from the concentrate after 7 days. Also, the concentration of copper in the final solution was higher than 20 g/L.     

Effects of hyper-enriched reactive Fe on sulfidisation in a tidally inundated acid sulfate soil wetland

Solid phase Fe and S fractions were examined in an acid sulfate soil (ASS) wetland undergoing remediation via tidal inundation. Considerable diagenetic enrichment of reactive Fe(III) oxides (HCl- and dithionite-extractable) occurred near the soil surface (0?C0.05 m depth), where extremely large concentrations up to 3534 ??mol/g accounted for ~90% of the total Fe pool. This major source of reactive Fe exerts a substantial influence on S cycling and the formation, speciation and transformation of reduced inorganic S (RIS) in tidally inundated ASS. Under these geochemical conditions, acid volatile sulfide (AVS; up to 57 ??mol/g) and elemental sulfur (S⁰; up to 41 ??mol/g) were the dominant fractions of RIS in near surface soils. AVS?CS to pyrite?CS ratios exceeded 2.9 near the surface, indicating that abundant reactive Fe favoured the accumulation of AVS minerals and S⁰ over pyrite. This is supported by the significant correlation of poorly crystalline Fe with AVS?CS and S⁰?CS contents (r = 0.83 and r = 0.85, respectively, P < 0.01). XANES spectroscopy provided direct evidence for the presence of a greigite-like phase in AVS?CS measured by chemical extraction. While the abundant reactive Fe may limit the transformation of AVS minerals and S⁰ to pyrite during early diagenesis (~5 years), continued sulfidisation over longer time scales is likely to eventually lead to enhanced sequestration of S within pyrite (with a predicted 8% pyrite by mass). These findings provide an important understanding of sulfidisation processes occurring in reactive Fe-enriched, tidally inundated ASS landscapes.     

Comparison of excitation energy transfer in cyanobacterial photosystem I in solution and immobilized on conducting glass

Excitation energy transfer in monomeric and trimeric forms of photosystem I (PSI) from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 in solution or immobilized on FTO conducting glass was compared using time-resolved fluorescence. Deposition of PSI on glass preserves bi-exponential excitation decay of ~4–7 and ~21–25 ps lifetimes characteristic of PSI in solution. The faster phase was assigned in part to photochemical quenching (charge separation) of excited bulk chlorophylls and in part to energy transfer from bulk to low-energy (red) chlorophylls. The slower phase was assigned to photochemical quenching of the excitation equilibrated over bulk and red chlorophylls. The main differences between dissolved and immobilized PSI (iPSI) are: (1) the average excitation decay in iPSI is about 11 ps, which is faster by a few ps than for PSI in solution due to significantly faster excitation quenching of bulk chlorophylls by charge separation (~10 ps instead of ~15 ps) accompanied by slightly weaker coupling of bulk and red chlorophylls; (2) the number of red chlorophylls in monomeric PSI increases twice—from 3 in solution to 6 after immobilization—as a result of interaction with neighboring monomers and conducting glass; despite the increased number of red chlorophylls, the excitation decay accelerates in iPSI; (3) the number of red chlorophylls in trimeric PSI is 4 (per monomer) and remains unchanged after immobilization; (4) in all the samples under study, the free energy gap between mean red (emission at ~710 nm) and mean bulk (emission at ~686 nm) emitting states of chlorophylls was estimated at a similar level of 17–27 meV. All these observations indicate that despite slight modifications, dried PSI complexes adsorbed on the FTO surface remain fully functional in terms of excitation energy transfer and primary charge separation that is particularly important in the view of photovoltaic applications of this photosystem.     

Theoretical analysis on the structure and properties of thiourea dioxide crystal

The equilibrium geometry, electronic structure and optical properties of thiourea S, S-dioxide crystal have been studied using DFT within generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the local density approximation (LDA), implemented using ultrasoft pseudo-potentials. The optimum bulk geometry is in good agreement with crystallographic data. An analysis of electronic structure, charge and bond order is presented. The energy gap of thiourea dioxide with GGA and LDA calculation is 3.217 or 3.210 eV, respectively, indicating that the compound is an insulator. The calculated absorption spectrum shows a number of absorption peaks, which are believed to be associated with different exciton states, in the fundamental absorption region.     

Comparison of chalcopyrite bioleaching after different microbial enrichment in shake flasks

The bioleachings of chalcopyrite ore were compared after inoculating different cultures enriched from the original acid mine drainage sample. The results showed that the higher bioleaching performance was achieved for inoculation with the enrichment D (0.5 % S, 2 % iron and 1 % chalcopyrite) compared to other enrichment systems. The generated ferric precipitation during bioleaching had a key influence on the final copper extraction. After enrichment, higher ratio of iron-oxidizer and higher ratio of sulfur-oxidizer existed in enrichment B and C, respectively. These caused the different bioleaching behaviours from other systems. Maintaining a suitable equilibrium between iron- and sulfur-oxidizers is significant to decrease ferric precipitation or postpone its formation, finally prolong efficient bioleaching period and improve copper extraction.     

Bioleaching of Different Pyrites and Sphalerite in the Presence of Graphite

In this research work the effect of pyrite type and graphite on the pyrite and sphalerite dissolution rate was investigated, using a mixed culture of moderately thermophilic microorganisms. Two samples of: fine granular surface pyrite and crystalline euhedral pyrite were prepared from black shale and copper porphyry deposits, respectively. Results indicated that granular surface pyrite dissolution rate and Fe(III) concentration are significantly higher than those of crystalline euhedral pyrite. As a result, higher Zn extraction improvement was observed in the presence of granular surface pyrite. Addition of graphite to the experiments enhanced the microorganism population in leaching solution and accelerated crystalline euhedral pyrite and sphalerite bioleaching rate. Using graphite in the experiments resulted in catalytic effect of crystalline pyrite and sphalerite, in which, with graphite, the Fe extraction increased from 25.57% to 59.84% and Zn extraction was improved from 22.17% to 53.37%, for 28 days of bioleaching. The catalytic effect of graphite on crystalline euhedral pyrite and also sphalerite bioleaching could be attributed to the rising of the microorganism population or galvanic interaction in which graphite acted as the cathode and accelerated the anodic dissolution of pyrite and sphalerite.     

Short communication: Adverse effect of surface-active reagents on the bioleaching of pyrite and chalcopyrite by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

Oxidation of Fe(II) iron and bioleaching of pyrite and chalcopyrite by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was adversely affected by isopropylxanthate, a flotation agent, and by LIX 984, a solvent-extraction agent, each at 1 g/l. The reagents/l were adsorbed on the bacterial surface, decreasing the bacteria's development and preventing biooxidation. Both reagents inhibited the bioleaching of pyrite and LIX 984 also inhibited the bioleaching of chalcopyrite.     

Thermal plasticity of skeletal muscle mitochondrial activity and whole animal respiration in a common intertidal triplefin fish,Forsterygion lapillum (Family: Tripterygiidae)

Oxygen demand generally increases in ectotherms as temperature rises in order to sustain oxidative phosphorylation by mitochondria. The thermal plasticity of ectotherm metabolism, such as that of fishes, dictates a species survival and is of importance to understand within an era of warming climates. Within this study the whole animal O₂ consumption rate of a common New Zealand intertidal triplefin fish, Forsterygion lapillum, was investigated at different acclimation temperatures (15, 18, 21, 24 or 25 °C) as a commonly used indicator of metabolic performance. In addition, the mitochondria within permeabilised skeletal muscle fibres of fish acclimated to a moderate temperature (18 °C Cool acclimation group—CA) and a warm temperature (24 °C. Warm acclimation group—WA) were also tested at 18, 24 and 25 °C in different states of coupling and with different substrates. These two levels of analysis were carried out to test whether any peak in whole animal metabolism reflected the respiratory performance of mitochondria from skeletal muscle representing the bulk of metabolic tissue. While standard metabolic rate (SMR- an indicator of total maintenance metabolism) and maximal metabolic rate ( \(\dot{M}\) O_{2 max}) both generally increased with temperature, aerobic metabolic scope (AMS) was maximal at 24 °C, giving the impression that whole animal (metabolic) performance was optimised at a surprisingly high temperature. Mitochondrial oxygen flux also increased with increasing assay temperature but WA fish showed a lowered response to temperature in high flux states, such as those of oxidative phosphorylation and in chemically uncoupled states of respiration. The thermal stability of mitochondria from WA fish was also noticeably greater than CA fish at 25 °C. However, the predicted contribution of respirational flux to ATP synthesis remained the same in both groups and WA fish showed higher anaerobic activity as a result of high muscle lactate loads in both rested and exhausted states. CA fish had a comparably lower level of resting lactate and took 30 % longer to fatigue than WA fish. Despite some apparent acclimation capacity of skeletal muscle mitochondria, the ATP synthesis capacity of this species is constrained at high temperatures, and that a greater fraction of metabolism in skeletal muscle appears to be supported anaerobically at higher temperatures. The AMS peak at 24 °C does not therefore represent utilisation efficiency of oxygen but, rather, the temperature where scope for oxygen flow is greatest.     

Reactive oxygen species generated in the presence of fine pyrite particles and its implication in thermophilic mineral bioleaching

In the tank bioleaching process, maximising solid loading and mineral availability, the latter through decreasing particle size, are key to maximising metal extraction. In this study, the effect of particle size distribution on bioleaching performance and microbial growth was studied through applying knowledge based on medical geology research to understand the adverse effects of suspended fine pyrite particles. Small-scale leaching studies, using pyrite concentrate fractions (106–75, 75–25, ?25 μm fines), were used to confirm decreasing performance with decreasing particle size (D ₅₀ <40 μm). Under equivalent experimental conditions, the generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals from pyrite was illustrated. ROS generation measured from the different pyrite fractions was found to increase with increasing pyrite surface area loading (1.79–74.01 m² L^?1) and Fe²⁺ concentration (0.1–2.8 g?L^?1) in solution. The highest concentration of ROS was measured from the finest fraction of pyrite (0.85 mM) and from the largest concentration of Fe²⁺ (0.78 mM). No ROS was detected from solutions containing only Fe³⁺ under the same conditions tested. The potential of ROS to inhibit microbial performance under bioleaching conditions was demonstrated. Pyrite-free Sulfolobus metallicus cultures challenged with hydrogen peroxide (0.5–2.5 mM) showed significant decrease in both cell growth and Fe²⁺ oxidation rates within the concentration range 1.5–2.5 mM. In combination, the results from this study suggest that conditions of large pyrite surface area loading, coupled with high concentrations of dissolved Fe²⁺, can lead to the generation of ROS, resulting in oxidative stress of the microorganisms.     

A Gaussian-3 theoretical study of the alkylthio radicals and their anions: structures, thermochemistry, and electron affinities

The optimized geometries, electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the alkylthio radicals have been determined with the higher level of the Gaussian-3(G3) theory. The geometries are fully optimized and discussed. The reliable adiabatic electron affinities with ZPVE correction have been predicted to be 1.860 eV for the methylthio radical, 1.960 eV for the ethylthio radical, 1.980 and 2.074 eV for the two isomers (n-C₃H₇S and i-C₃H₇S) of the propylthio radical, 1.991, 2.133 and 2.013 eV for the three isomers (n-C₄H₉S, t-C₄H₉S, and i-C₄H₉S) of the butylthio radical, and 1.999, 2.147, 2.164, and 2.059 eV for the four isomers (n-C₅H₁₁S, b-C₅H₁₁S, c-C₅H₁₁S, and d-C₅H₁₁S) of the pentylthio radical, respectively. These corrected EA_ad values for the alkylthio radicals are in good agreement with available experiments, and the average absolute error of the G3 method is 0.041 eV. The dissociation energies of S atom from neutral C_nH_2n+1S (n?=?1–5) and S^- from corresponding anions C_nH_2n+1S^- species have also been estimated respectively to examine their relative stabilities.     

Isolation of a strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus caldus</Emphasis> and its role in bioleaching of chalcopyrite

A moderately thermophilic and acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium named S₂, was isolated from coal heap drainage. The bacterium was motile, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, measured 0.4 to 0.6 by 1 to 2 μm, and grew optimally at 42–45°C and an initial pH of 2.5. The strain S₂ grew autotrophically by using elemental sulfur, sodium thiosulfate and potassium tetrathionate as energy sources. The strain did not use organic matter and inorganic minerals including ferrous sulfate, pyrite and chalcopyrite as energy sources. The morphological, biochemical, physiological characterization and analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain S₂ is most closely related to Acidithiobacillus caldus (>99% similarity in gene sequence). The combination of the strain S₂ with Leptospirillum ferriphilum or Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in chalcopyrite bioleaching improved the copper-leaching efficiency. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that the chalcopyrite surface in a mixed culture of Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Acidithiobacillus caldus was heavily etched. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis indicated that Acidithiobacillus caldus has the potential role to enhance the recovery of copper from chalcopyrite by oxidizing the sulfur formed during the bioleaching progress.     

Esterases of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae), parasitic mite of the honeybee

Varroa destructor is an ectoparasite that causes serious damage to the population of the honeybee. Increasing resistance of the parasite to acaricides is related, among others, to metabolic adaptations of its esterases to facilitate decomposition of the chemicals used. Esterases are a large heterogeneous group of enzymes that metabolize a number of endogenous and exogenous substrates with ester binding. The aim of the present study was to determine the activity of esterases in the body extracts (BE) and excretion/secretion products (E/SP) of the mite. The enzymes contained in the E/SP should originate mainly from the salivary glands and the alimentary system and they may play a particularly important role in the first line of defence of the mite against acaricides. Activity of cholinesterases (ChEs) [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase], carboxylesterases (CEs) and phosphatases [alkaline phosphatase (AP) and acid phosphatase (AcP)] was investigated. The activity of all the enzymes except AChE was higher in the E/SP than in the BE. ChEs from the BE and from the E/SP reacted differently on eserine, a ChE inhibitor. Eserine inhibited both enzymes from the BE, increased decomposition of acetylcholine, but did not influence hydrolysis of butyrylcholine by the E/SP. Activity of the CEs from the BE in relation to the esters of carboxylic acids can be presented in the following series: C10 > C12 > C14 > C8 > C2 > C4 = C16, while activity of the CEs from the E/SP was: C4 > C8 > C2 > C14 > C10 > C12 > C16. The inhibitor of CEs, triphenyl phosphate, reduced the activity of esterases C2–C8 and C14–C16; however, it acted in the opposite way to CEs C10 and C12. The activity of both phosphatases was higher in the E/SP than in the BE (AcP about twofold and AP about 2.6-fold); the activities of AP and AcP in the same material were similar. Given the role of esterases in resistance to pesticides, further studies are necessary to obtain complete biochemical characteristics of the enzymes currently present in V. destructor.     

Poly –N = N– linked 1,5-dihydro-1,5-diazocine,the two-dimensional polymer with Dirac insulator properties: ab initio study

A new material – the monolayered, π-conjugated, poly dinitrogen-linked 1,5-dihydro-1,5-diazocine – is proposed. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the material is a two-dimensional Dirac insulator with a direct band gap. The generalised gradient approximation (GGA) and the local density approximation (LDA) give band gaps of E _gap ^GGA = 0.045 eV and E _gap ^LDA = 0.035 eV. Anisotropy of the Dirac cones results in variation of Fermi velocities of the charge carriers: [0.85–5.30] × 10⁶ m/s (GGA) and [0.86–5.38] × 10⁶ m/s (LDA). Corresponding effective masses are ～10³ lower than that of a free electron. G₀W₀ calculations confirm the topology of density functional theory band structure and show band gap of E _gap = 0.121 eV. Cohesive energies are estimated at E _c ^GGA = 5.30 eV/atom and E _c ^LDA = 6.15 eV/atom. Thus, the results provide the first evidence for the existence of Dirac insulators among organic polymers.     

Salt-induced pH changes in spinach chloroplast suspension. Changes in surface potential and surface pH of thylakoid membranes

A pH decrease in chloroplast suspension in media of low salt concentration was observed when a salt was added at pH values higher than 4.4, while at lower pH values a pH increase was observed. The salt-induced pH changes depended on the valence and concentration of cations of added salts at neutral pH values (higher than 4.4) and on those of anions at acidic pH values (lower than 4.4). The order of effectiveness was trivalent > divalent > monovalent. The pH value change by salt addition was affected by the presence of ionic detergents depending on the sign of their charges. These characteristics agreed with those expected from the Gouy-Chapman theory on diffuse electrical double layers. The results were interpreted in terms of the changes in surface potential, surface pH and the ionization of surface groups which result in the release (or binding) of H⁺ to (or from) the outer medium.The analysis of the data of KCl-induced pH change suggests that the change in the surface charge density of thylakoid membranes depends mainly on the ionization of carboxyl groups, which is determined by the surface pH. When the carboxyl groups are fully dissociated, the surface charge density reaches ?1.0 ± 0.1 · 10^?3 elementary charge/square Å.Dependence of the estimated surface potential on the bulk pH was similar to that of electrophoretic mobility of thylakoid membrane vesicles.     

The Effect of pH and Heat Pre-Treatments on the Physicochemical and Emulsifying Properties of β-lactoglobulin

The overall goal of this research was to investigate structure-function mechanisms associated the emulsifying properties β-lactoglobulin (β-LG). Specifically the physicochemical (i.e., surface charge and hydrophobicity, size and interfacial tension) and emulsifying (i.e., emulsification activity (EAI) and stability indices (ESI)) properties of β-LG were investigated in response to changes in pH (3.0, 5.0 and 7.0) and heat pre-treatment conditions (25, 55 and 85 °C). Hydrophobicity was found to be greatest at pH 5.0/85 °C, whereas at all conditions it was significantly lower. Surface charge on β-LG was found to be neutral at?~?pH 3.9, regardless of conditions. Aggregate size was also found to be highest at pH 5.0/85 °C (avg. hydrodynamic radii of ~714 nm), corresponding to a reduced net surface charge and high hydrophobicity. Little size dependence of aggregates was observed at pH 3.0 regardless to the temperature pre-treatments (radii ~120 nm). In contrast, at pH 7.0 slight temperature dependence was apparent, where treatments at 25, 55 and 85 °C led to radii of 412.8, 307.2 and 232.3 nm, respectively. Overall, the addition of β-LG to a canola oil–water system resulted in a decline in interfacial tension from ~28 mN/m to ~18 mN/m, however the effect of pH/temperature conditions was minimal. EAI was found to be highest when β-LG solutions displayed high surface charge combined with moderate hydrophobicity. In contrast, ESI was higher under conditions where β-LG solutions remained in a native (25 °C) or fully denatured state (85 °C) versus one in where partially unravelling may be occurring (55 °C).     

Physiological and morphological responses to the first bout of refeeding in southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis)

Many animals experience fasting because of the high temporal and spatial sporadicity of food availability. Once food is available, animals use external energy to restore their depressed functional performance. In the present study, the physiological and morphological responses to the first bout of refeeding in juvenile southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis) were characterized. Fish that had undergone long-term fasting (fasted for 32 days, the S32 group) exhibited a lower resting metabolic rate ( $ {\dot{\text{M}}} $ O_2rest decreased by 49 %), lower peak metabolic rate ( $ {\dot{\text{M}}} $ O_2peak decreased by 24 %), greater energy expenditure (increased by 15 %) during specific dynamic action (SDA) and longer duration SDA response (increased by 41 %) than those of a control group (S0 group, fasted for 0 days). The S32 group showed a significantly reduced peak gastric evacuation rate (0.131 g meal h^?1) compared with the S0 group (0.315 g meal h^?1). The S0 group also had a shorter gastric evacuation time (36 h) than either of the two fasting groups (both 64 h). The S32 group displayed a higher minimum gastric pH (3.1) than the S0 and S16 groups (2.6). Refeeding did not trigger an increase in the wet mass of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas the liver wet mass of the S0 and the two fasting groups increased significantly with refeeding. The trypsin and lipase of the S0 group showed higher mass-specific activities and organ capacities than either of the two fasting groups at certain specific time points. A similar result was found for aminopeptidase activity. Multiple loach meals equaling 6 % of the body weight of the fed fish completely restored the liver morphology within the S16 but not the S32 group. Our results suggest that the regulation of the digestive performance of the gastrointestinal tract in S. meridionalis that are finishing their first small meal after fasting is delayed compared with that of nonfasting fish and that it is similar to the characteristics (lower $ {\dot{\text{M}}} $ O_2peak, greater SDA and a longer duration of the SDA response) of the refeeding SDA.     

Uphill energy transfer in photosystem I from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis>. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements at 77 K

Energetic properties of chlorophylls in photosynthetic complexes are strongly modulated by their interaction with the protein matrix and by inter-pigment coupling. This spectral tuning is especially striking in photosystem I (PSI) complexes that contain low-energy chlorophylls emitting above 700 nm. Such low-energy chlorophylls have been observed in cyanobacterial PSI, algal and plant PSI–LHCI complexes, and individual light-harvesting complex I (LHCI) proteins. However, there has been no direct evidence of their presence in algal PSI core complexes lacking LHCI. In order to determine the lowest-energy states of chlorophylls and their dynamics in algal PSI antenna systems, we performed time-resolved fluorescence measurements at 77 K for PSI core and PSI–LHCI complexes isolated from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The pool of low-energy chlorophylls observed in PSI cores is generally smaller and less red-shifted than that observed in PSI–LHCI complexes. Excitation energy equilibration between bulk and low-energy chlorophylls in the PSI–LHCI complexes at 77 K leads to population of excited states that are less red-shifted (by ~?12 nm) than at room temperature. On the other hand, analysis of the detection wavelength dependence of the effective trapping time of bulk excitations in the PSI core at 77 K provided evidence for an energy threshold at ~?675 nm, above which trapping slows down. Based on these observations, we postulate that excitation energy transfer from bulk to low-energy chlorophylls and from bulk to reaction center chlorophylls are thermally activated uphill processes that likely occur via higher excitonic states of energy accepting chlorophylls.     

Effects of DNP on the cell surface properties of marine bacteria and its implication for adhesion to surfaces

Abstract

The effect of 2, 4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on the extracelluar polysaccharides (EPS), cell surface charge, and the hydrophobicity of six marine bacterial cultures was studied, and its influence on attachment of these bacteria to glass and polystyrene was evaluated. DNP treatment did not influence cell surface charge and EPS production, but had a significant effect on hydrophobicity of both hydrophilic (p = 0.05) and hydrophobic (p = 0.01) cultures. Significant reduction in the attachment of all the six cultures to glass (p = 0.02) and polystyrene (p = 0.03) was observed after DNP treatment. Moreover, hydrophobicity but not the cell surface charge or EPS production influenced bacterial cell attachment to glass and polystyrene. From this study, it was evident that DNP treatment influenced bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity, which in turn, reduced bacterial adhesion to surfaces.