Growth and iron oxidation kinetics of Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans at suboptimal temperatures

The aim of this work was to study the growth and oxidation of iron by acidophilic autotrophic bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans. This species uses Fe²⁺ as an electrode donor and a source of energy and gradCO₂ as a carbon source. Optimal temperature for growth At. ferrivorans is 25 grad C. Isolate At. ferrivorans SS3 is able to grow even at a temperature of 5 grad C and can be designated a zapychrotolerant species. In this work, the authors compared the individual parameters of bacterial culture growth at the optimal temperature of 25 grad C and suboptimal temperatures in the range of 5 - 20 grad C. Despite genotypic differences, At. ferrivorans many common physiological traits with At. ferrooxidans. Bacterial growth and parameters related to iron oxidation kinetics were determined from the rate of oxygen and CO₂ consumption by on-line gas phase analysis. (authors)