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Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of the methanogenMethanosarcina barkeri ‘Fusaro’ grown on methanol and in the presence of heavy metals

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Abstract

The general distribution of metals in cell compartments ofMethanosarcina barkeri ‘Fusaro’ was studied by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Cells were cultivated on methanol, acetate, or on a mixture of H2+CO2 as substrate. At decreasing degree (polyphosphate bodies ≫ clusters of small granula>cell walls, inside a cell clump> cytoplasma), the elemental pattern of Ca, P, and Fe could be seen in all cell compartments. Cells grown on methanol were further investigated for their ability to incorporate added heavy metal ions. After completed growth and methane production, Pb or Cd was found to a considerable extent in all cell compartments, whereas Zn or Cu was incorporated only to a minor degree. Evidence for an uptake of Hg could not be obtained.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of General Botany, Department of Microbiology, University of Hamburg, D-2000, Hamburg 52, Germany

    Paul A. Scherer

  2. Institute of Biotechnology I of the Nuclear Research Station Jülich GmbH, D-5170, Jülich, Germany

    Hans-P Bochem

Authors
  1. Paul A. Scherer
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  2. Hans-P Bochem
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Scherer, P.A., Bochem, HP. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of the methanogenMethanosarcina barkeri ‘Fusaro’ grown on methanol and in the presence of heavy metals. Current Microbiology 9, 187–193 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01567579

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