INTRACELLULAR DEPOSITION OF SULFUR BY SPHAEROTILUS NATANS

Abstract

Cells of S. natans, when grown on 0.1% peptone and exposed to H2S, deposit S internally within 45 minutes usually in close proximity to granules appearing black under phase contrast. The S-filled filaments resemble those of Thiothrix except that the latter is claimed to form a true uniseriate multicellular trichome. The question of synonymy of the 2 genera rests upon whether the latter claim is correct. Pyridine is the most useful solvent for extracting and crystallizing S from cells.