Polyamine patterns in iron- and sulphur-oxidizing bacteria isolated from an Indian copper mine indicate requirement of spermidine for growth under acid conditions
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Joshi, N. R.; Agate, A. D.; Paknikar, K. M.
- Source
- World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology. Jan 01, 2000 16(7):631-634
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0959-3993
Spermidine was found to be the predominant polyamine in all the acidophilic as well as neutrophilic strains of chemolithotrophic iron- and sulphur-oxidizing bacteria and associated organotrophic cultures inhabiting a copper mining ecosystem. Adaptation of neutrophilic Thiobacillus thioparus strain to pH 5.0 was found to increase the spermidine content of the cells 2.3 times while the biomass yield decreased by 50%. However, exogenous supplementation of spermidine could restore the biomass yield to levels obtainable at pH 7.0. These observations indicate that spermidine plays a significant role in adaptive behaviour of microorganisms in natural ecosystems, especially under acid conditions.