scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers by "Zbigniew Kolber published in 2003"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Seven strains of marine aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs belonging to the genus Erythrobacter were isolated and required an organic carbon substrate for growth; however, they are able to supplement a significant fraction of their metabolic requirements with photosynthetically derived energy.
Abstract: Seven strains of marine aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs belonging to the genus Erythrobacter were isolated. The strains were characterized regarding their physiological and biochemical properties, 16S rDNA and pufM gene sequences, morphological features, substrate preference, as well as pigment and lipid composition. All strains had functional type-2 reaction centers containing bacteriochlorophyll, served by small, light-harvesting complex 1, and were photosynthetically competent. In addition, large pools of carotenoids were found, but only some of the accessory pigments transfer energy to the reaction centers. All of the isolates were facultative photoheterotrophs. They required an organic carbon substrate for growth; however, they are able to supplement a significant fraction of their metabolic requirements with photosynthetically derived energy.

158 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 2003-Lipids
TL;DR: A detailed comparison of the cis-vaccenic acid photodegradation patterns with those observed in particulate matter samples of the DYFAMED station (Mediterranean Sea) suggests that photodegrading of heterotrophic bacteria attached to senescent phytoplanktonic cells constitutes the more likely source of cis- Vaccenic acid oxidation products detected in situ.
Abstract: The origin of 11-hydroxyoctadec-trans-12-enoic and 12-hydroxyoctadec-trans-10-enoic acids (photodegradation products of cis-vaccenic acid) in the marine environment was investigated. cis-Vaccenic acid is commonly used as a bacterial biomarker; however, in heterotrophic bacteria the observed rates of cis-vaccenic acid photodegradation are negligible. Here, two hypotheses explaining the source of the photoproducts were tested. According to the first hypothesis, the photoproducts originate from aerobic anoxygenic bacteria, i.e., photoheterotrophic organisms using bacteriochlorophyll-containing reaction centers. Alternatively, the photoproducts come from a heterotrophic bacterial community closely associated with senescent phytoplanktonic cells. cis-Vaccenic acid photodegradation was detected in both experimental setups. However, a detailed comparison of the cis-vaccenic acid photodegradation patterns with those observed in particulate matter samples of the DYFAMED station (Mediterranean Sea) suggests that photodegradation of heterotrophic bacteria attached to senescent phytoplanktonic cells constitutes the more likely source of cis-vaccenic acid oxidation products detected in situ.

24 citations