Metabolism of Organic Compounds by Extremely Acidophilic, Obligately Chemolithoautotrophic Thiobacilli-a review

Abstract:

The extremely acidophilic, obligately chemolithoautotrophic thiobacilli can obtain energy from the chemolithotrophic oxidation of inorganic-sulphur. They have industrial applications in metal leaching, desulfurization from coal and oil, agriculture, and environmental protection. However, their inability to use organic substance, their slow growth rate and low cell yield, has limited their further industrial use. The construction of engineered strains with better growth rate and improved ability to use organic compounds is important. In this paper, the inhibition of growth by organic compounds, limited use of organic compounds, central metabolic pathways, and transport mechanism of the extremely acidophilic obligately chemolithoautotrophic thiobacilli are reviewed, as well as the current research progress in their genetic modification to use organic compounds.