ANAEROBIC METABOLISM OF NITROSOMONAS-EUROPAEA

Nitrosomonas europaea is capable of maintaining an anaerobic metabolism, using pyruvate as an electron donor and nitrite as an electron acceptor; utilization of nitrite depends upon supply of both pyruvate and ammonia. The role of ammonia in this reaction was not determined. N. europaea also assimilates CO2 anaerobically into cell material in the presence of nitrite (0.5-1.0 mM), pyruvate and ammonia. This reaction was partially inhibited by nitrite which apparently competed with CO2, for reducing power. Anaerobic "nitrite respiration" is sensitive to ionophores, FCCP being the most effective.