Melanin production and use as a soluble electron shuttle for Fe(III) oxide reduction and as a terminal electron acceptor by Shewanella algae BrY
Abstract
Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) utilize numerous compounds as terminal electron acceptors, including insoluble iron oxides. The mechanism(s) of insoluble-mineral reduction by DMRB is not well understood. Here we report that extracellular melanin is produced by Shewanella algae BrY. The extracted melanin served as the sole terminal electron acceptor. Upon reduction the reduced, soluble melanin reduced insoluble hydrous ferric oxide in the absence of bacteria, thus demonstrating that melanin produced by S. algae BrY is a soluble Fe (III)-reducing compound. In the presence of bacteria, melanin acted as an electron conduit to Fe(III) minerals and increased Fe(III) mineral reduction rates. Growth of S. algae BrY occurred in anaerobic minimal medium supplemented with melanin extracted from previously grown aerobic cultures of S. algae BrY. Melanin produced by S. algae BrY imparts increased versatility to this organism as a soluble Fe(III) reductant, an electron conduit for iron mineral reduction, and a sole terminal electron acceptor that supports growth.
Publication Date
5-1-2002
Journal Title
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1128/AEM.68.5.2436-2444.2002
Scientific Contribution Number
2091
Document Type
Article
Rights
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Recommended Citation
Turick, Charles E.; Tisa, Louis S.; and Caccavo, Frank, "Melanin production and use as a soluble electron shuttle for Fe(III) oxide reduction and as a terminal electron acceptor by Shewanella algae BrY" (2002). Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 9.
https://scholars.unh.edu/nhaes/9