| Abstract: | Changes in the oxidation-reduction potential of medium during the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria under anaerobic conditions in the pH range 5.5-7.5 were studied. It was shown that dithiothreitol, a reducer of thiol groups, at a concentration of 3 mM decreased the initial value of oxidation-reduction potential to negative values of -60 to -220 mV, increased the duration of the lag growth phase, decreased the growth rate, and lowered the acidification of the medium and accumulation of potassium ions independently of pH. The value of the potential in the presence of 3 mM dithiothreitol decreased by 15-20 mV both at alkaline and acidic pH. Dithiothreitol at a concentration of 10 mM stopped molecular hydrogen production at pH 5.5 only. The effects of dithiothreitol on the oxidation-reduction potential and bacterial growth were probably associated with changes in the state of thiol groups in membrane proteins, which affects the generation of membrane potential, proton secretion from cells, K+ accumulation in bacteria, and the activity of membrane-associated enzymes. |
