Reduction of Ferric Compounds by Soil Bacteria

Abstract

Washed bacterial cells of Bacillus circulans. B. megaterlum and Aerobacter aerogenes were used to study the reduction of ferric compounds and methylene blue in Thunberg tubes. The reduction in each case was closely associated with dehydrogenase activity. Culture fluids, in the absence of cells, were without effect, and the addition of enzyme inhibitors to the cell preparations prevented reduction.