Specific Features of Phosphate Transformation on Rhodobacter sphaeroides Chromatophores

ATP production has been shown to take place on illumination of Rhodobacter sphaeroides chromatophores by a single light flash, i.e., in the absence of a proton gradient (which would form as a result of electron transport should a second flash occur). ATP synthesis was accompanied by H₂O₂ formation. Simultaneous formation of ATP and H₂O₂ is indicative of oxidative activation of phosphate during ATP synthesis, as in model systems with isolated chlorophyll. These data provide a theoretical background for selecting illumination parameters in laboratory and industrial photobioreactors used for cultivation of photosynthetic bacteria in biotechnological processes.