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6021662 
Journal Article 
Isolation and physiological characterization of autotrophic sulphur bacteria oxidizing dimethyl disulphide as sole source of energy 
Kelly, DP; Smith, NA 
1988 
134 
6 
1407-1417 
The isolation of a strains of bacteria able to grow on dimethyl disulphide and dimethyl sulphide as a sole source of energy is described. One isolate (E6) was examined in detail. Substrate oxidation kinetics indicated that methanethiol, sulphide, formaldehyde and formate, but not dimethyl sulphide, could be implicated as intermediates in dimethyl disulphide metabolism. Apparent K sub(s) values for the oxidation of dimethyl disulphide and methanethiol were 2 multiplied by 5 and 3 multiplied by 2 mu M respectively. Growth yields in chemostat culture on dimethyl disulphide with and without thiosulphate indicated energy conservation was coupled to the oxidation of formaldehyde and sulphide (derived from dimethyl disulphide via methanethiol) to CO sub(2) and sulphate. Maximum growth yield (Y sub(max)) on dimethyl disulphide was 17 g cell-carbon per mol of dimethyl disulphide. 
characterization; dimethyl disulfide; isolation; substrates; Microbiology Abstracts B: Bacteriology; sulfur bacteria; autotrophy; Calvin cycle; J 02723:Photosynthesis, electron transport and related phenomena