The bacterial light-dependent energy metabolism can be divided into two types: oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. Bacterial oxygenic photosynthesis is similar to plants and is characteristic for cyanobacteria. Bacterial anoxygenic photosynthesis is performed by anoxygenic phototrophs, especially green sulfur bacteria (GSB; family Chlorobiaceae) and purple sulfur bacteria (PSB; family Chromatiaceae). In anoxygenic photosynthesis, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is used as the main electron donor, which differs from plants or cyanobacteria where water is the main source of electrons. This review mainly focuses on the microbiology of GSB, which may be found in water or soil ecosystems where H2S is abundant. GSB oxidize H2S to elemental sulfur. GSB possess special structures-chlorosomes-wherein photosynthetic pigments are located. Chlorosomes are vesicles that are surrounded by a lipid monolayer that serve as light-collecting antennas. The carbon source of GSB is carbon dioxide, which is assimilated through the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle. Our review provides a thorough introduction to the comparative eco-physiology of GSB and discusses selected application possibilities of anoxygenic phototrophs in the fields of environmental management, bioremediation, and biotechnology.

• Keywords
• anaerobes, anoxygenic bacteria, bacterial photosynthesis, bacterial physiology, biotechnology, microbiology,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Animal and human feces typically include intestinal sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Hydrogen sulfide and acetate are the end products of their dissimilatory sulfate reduction and may create a synergistic effect. Here, we report NADH and NADPH peroxidase activities from intestinal SRB Desulfomicrobium orale and Desulfovibrio piger. We sought to compare enzymatic activities under the influence of various temperature and pH regimes, as well as to carry out kinetic analyses of enzymatic reaction rates, maximum amounts of the reaction product, reaction times, maximum rates of the enzyme reactions, and Michaelis constants in cell-free extracts of intestinal SRB, D. piger Vib-7, and D. orale Rod-9, collected from exponential and stationary growth phases. The optimal temperature (35 °C) and pH (7.0) for both enzyme's activity were determined. The difference in trends of Michaelis constants (Km) during exponential and stationary phases are noticeable between D. piger Vib-7 and D. orale Rod-9; D. orale Rod-9 showed much higher Km (the exception is NADH peroxidase of D. piger Vib-7: 1.42 ± 0.11 mM) during the both monitored phases. Studies of the NADH and NADPH peroxidases-as putative antioxidant defense systems of intestinal SRB and detailed data on the kinetic properties of this enzyme, as expressed by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide-could be important for clarifying evolutionary mechanisms of antioxidant defense systems, their etiological role in the process of dissimilatory sulfate reduction, and their possible role in the development of bowel diseases.

• MeSH
• Antioxidants * MeSH
• Cell Extracts MeSH
• Desulfovibrio * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• NAD MeSH
• NADP MeSH
• Defense Mechanisms MeSH
• Peroxidases MeSH
• Sulfates MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antioxidants * MeSH
• Cell Extracts MeSH
• NAD MeSH
• NADP MeSH
• NADPH peroxidase MeSH Browser
• Peroxidases MeSH
• Sulfates MeSH

There are two main types of bacterial photosynthesis: oxygenic (cyanobacteria) and anoxygenic (sulfur and non-sulfur phototrophs). Molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis in the phototrophic microorganisms can differ and depend on their location and pigments in the cells. This paper describes bacteria capable of molecular oxidizing hydrogen sulfide, specifically the families Chromatiaceae and Chlorobiaceae, also known as purple and green sulfur bacteria in the process of anoxygenic photosynthesis. Further, it analyzes certain important physiological processes, especially those which are characteristic for these bacterial families. Primarily, the molecular metabolism of sulfur, which oxidizes hydrogen sulfide to elementary molecular sulfur, as well as photosynthetic processes taking place inside of cells are presented. Particular attention is paid to the description of the molecular structure of the photosynthetic apparatus in these two families of phototrophs. Moreover, some of their molecular biotechnological perspectives are discussed.

• Keywords
• anaerobes, anoxygenic bacteria, detoxification, hydrogen sulfide, molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis, water environment,
• MeSH
• Anaerobiosis MeSH
• Chlorobi classification   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Chromatiaceae classification   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Phototrophic Processes genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Sulfur metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Sulfur MeSH

Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic compound that can affect various groups of water microorganisms. Photolithotrophic sulfur bacteria including Chromatiaceae and Chlorobiaceae are able to convert inorganic substrate (hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide) into organic matter deriving energy from photosynthesis. This process takes place in the absence of molecular oxygen and is referred to as anoxygenic photosynthesis, in which exogenous electron donors are needed. These donors may be reduced sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. This paper deals with the description of this metabolic process, representatives of the above-mentioned families, and discusses the possibility using anoxygenic phototrophic microorganisms for the detoxification of toxic hydrogen sulfide. Moreover, their general characteristics, morphology, metabolism, and taxonomy are described as well as the conditions for isolation and cultivation of these microorganisms will be presented.

• Keywords
• anoxygenic photosynthesis, hydrogen sulfide, toxicity, waste water treatment,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Meta-analysis is a statistical process summarizing comparable data from a number of scientific papers. The use of meta-analysis in microbiology allows decision-making that has an impact on public health policy. It can happen that the primary researches come to different conclusions, although these are targeted with the same research question. It is, therefore, inevitable to have the means to systematically evaluate information and compare research results. Ulcerative colitis together with Crohn's disease are among the two main inflammatory bowel diseases. This chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, with an as yet unclear etiology, is presented by an uncontrolled inflammatory immune response in genetically predisposed individuals to as yet undefined environmental factors in interaction with the intestinal microbiota itself. In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), changes in the composition and relative abundance of microorganisms could be observed. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which commonly occur in the large intestine as part of the commensal microbiota of animals and humans involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, have been shown to occur. SRB are anaerobic organisms affecting short-chain fatty acid metabolism. This work outlines the perspectives of the use of meta-analysis for UC and changes in the representation of intestinal organisms in these patients.

• Keywords
• hydrogen sulfide, inflammatory bowel diseases, intestinal microbiome, meta-analysis, sulfate-reducing bacteria, ulcerative colitis,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Increased numbers of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are often found in the feces of people and animals with inflammatory bowel disease. The final products of their metabolism are hydrogen sulfide and acetate, which are produced during dissimilatory sulfate reduction process. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to monitor processes concerning sulfate reduction microbial metabolisms, including: the main microbial genera monitoring and their hydrogen sulfide production in the intestines of healthy and not healthy individuals, phylogenetic analysis of SRB isolates, cluster analysis of SRB physiological and biochemical parameters, SRB growth kinetic parameters calculation, same as the application of the two-factor dispersion analysis for finding relationship between SRB biomass accumulation, temperature and pH. Feces samples from healthy people and patients with colitis were used for isolation of sulfate-reducing microbial communities. METHODS: Microbiological, biochemical, biophysical, molecular biology methods, and statistical processing of the results have been used for making an evaluation of gained results. RESULTS: Two dominant SRB morphotypes differed in colony size and quantitative ratio in the feces of healthy and colitis patients were observed and identified. In the feces of healthy people, 93% of SRB of morphotype I prevailed (Desulfovibrio) while morphotype II made only 7% (Desulfomicrobium); in the feces of patients with colitis, the ratio of these morphotypes was 99:1, respectively. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations are also higher in the feces of people with colitis and certain synergy effects exist among acetate produced by SRB. CONCLUSIONS: The study results brought important findings concerning colony environments with developed colitis and these findings can lead to the development of possible risk indicators of ulcerative colitis prevalence.

• Keywords
• Dissimilatory sulfate reduction, Hydrogen sulfide, Sulfate-reducing bacteria, Toxicity, Ulcerative colitis,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide is the final product of sulfate-reducing bacteria metabolism. Its high concentration in the gut can affect adversely bowel environment and intestinal microbiota by toxicity and pH lowering. AIM OF REVIEW: The aim of the review was to give observations related to the properties of bacterial communities inhabiting the gut, with the emphasis on sulfate-reducing bacteria and lactic acid bacteria. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: The conduction of meta-analysis was another goal, since it gave statistical observation of the relevant studies. The review literature consisted of more than 160 studies, published from 1945 to 2019. Meta-analysis included 16 studies and they were chosen from the Web of Science database. The systematic review gave important information about the development of gut inflammation, with emphasis on sulfate-reducing and lactic acid bacteria. Oppositely from sulfate-reducing bacteria, probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria are effective inhibitors against inflammatory bowel disease development, including ulcerative colitis. These facts were confirmed by the conducted meta-analysis. The results and observations gained from the systematic review represent the emphasized importance of gut microbiota for bowel inflammation. On the other side, it should be stated that more studies in the future will provide even better confirmations.

• Keywords
• Bowel inflammations, Hydrogen sulfide, Lactic acid bacteria, Probiotics, Sulfate-reducing bacteria, Toxicity, Ulcerative colitis,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

The number of cases of oral cavity inflammation in the population has been recently increasing, with periodontitis being the most common disease. It is caused by a change in the microbial composition of the biofilm in the periodontal pockets. In this context, an increased incidence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the oral cavity has been found, which are a part of the common microbiome of the mouth. This work is devoted to the description of the diversity of SRB isolated from the oral cavity. It also deals with the general description of periodontitis in terms of manifestations and origin. It describes the ability of SRB to participate in its development, although their effect on periodontal inflammation is not fully understood. The production of hydrogen sulfide as a cytochrome oxidase inhibitor may play a role in the etiology. A meta-analysis was conducted based on studies of the occurrence of SRB in humans.

• Keywords
• SRB, dental plaque, hydrogen sulfide, meta-analysis, oral cavity, periodontal disease, periodontitis, sulfate, sulfate-reducing bacteria,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are multifactorial illnesses of the intestine, to which microorganisms are contributing. Among the contributing microorganisms, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are suggested to be involved in the process of bowel inflammation due to the production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by dissimilatory sulfate reduction. The aims of our research were to physiologically examine SRB in fecal samples of patients with IBD and a control group, their identification, the study of the process of dissimilatory sulfate reduction (sulfate consumption and H2S production) and biomass accumulation. Determination of biogenic elements of the SRB and evaluation of obtained parameters by using statistical methods were also included in the research. The material for the research consisted of 14 fecal samples, which was obtained from patients and control subjects. METHODS: Microscopic techniques, microbiological, biochemical, biophysical methods and statistical analysis were included. RESULTS: Colonies of SRB were isolated from all the fecal samples, and subsequently, 35 strains were obtained. Vibrio-shaped cells stained Gram-negative were dominant in all purified studied strains. All strains had a high percentage of similarity by the 16S rRNA gene with deposited sequences in GenBank of Desulfovibrio vulgaris. Cluster analysis of sulfate reduction parameters allowed the grouping of SRB strains. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were not observed between healthy individuals and patients with IBD with regard to sulfate reduction parameters (sulfate consumption, H2S and biomass accumulation). Moreover, we found that manganese and iron contents in the cell extracts are higher among healthy individuals in comparison to unhealthy individuals that have an intestinal bowel disease, especially ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS: The observations obtained from studying SRB emphasize differences in the intestinal microbial processes of healthy and unhealthy people.

• Keywords
• bowel disease, hydrogen sulfide, intestinal microbiota, sulfate reduction, toxicity, ulcerative colitis,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

A comparative study of the kinetic characteristics (specific activity, initial and maximum rate, and affinity for substrates) of key enzymes of assimilatory sulfate reduction (APS reductase and dissimilatory sulfite reductase) in cell-free extracts of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) from various biotopes was performed. The material for the study represented different strains of SRB from various ecotopes. Microbiological (isolation and cultivation), biochemical (free cell extract preparation) and chemical (enzyme activity determination) methods served in defining kinetic characteristics of SRB enzymes. The determined affinity data for substrates (i.e., sulfite) were 10 times higher for SRB strains isolated from environmental (soil) ecotopes than for strains from the human intestine. The maximum rate of APS reductase reached 0.282-0.862 µmol/min×mg-1 of protein that is only 10 to 28% higher than similar initial values. The maximum rate of sulfite reductase for corrosive relevant collection strains and SRB strains isolated from heating systems were increased by 3 to 10 times. A completely different picture was found for the intestinal SRB Vmax in the strains Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 (0.67 µmol/min × mg-1 protein) and Desulfomicrobium orale Rod-9 (0.45 µmol/min × mg-1 protein). The determinant in the cluster distribution of SRB strains is the activity of the terminal enzyme of dissimilatory sulfate reduction-sulfite reductase, but not APS reductase. The data obtained from the activity of sulfate reduction enzymes indicated the adaptive plasticity of SRB strains that is manifested in the change in enzymatic activity.

• Keywords
• cell-free extracts, ecotopes, hydrogen sulfide, sulfate-reducing bacteria, toxicity,
• MeSH
• Adenosine Phosphosulfate metabolism   MeSH
• Biodegradation, Environmental MeSH
• Desulfovibrio desulfuricans isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Desulfovibrio vulgaris isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors metabolism   MeSH
• Hydrogen Sulfide analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Adenosine Phosphosulfate MeSH
• adenylylsulfate reductase MeSH Browser
• Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors MeSH
• Hydrogen Sulfide MeSH