Oxidation of Manganese and Iron by Leptothrix discophora: Use of N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl-p-Phenylenediamine as an Indicator of Metal Oxidation

E W de Vrind-de Jong; P L Corstjens; E S Kempers; P Westbroek; J P de Vrind

doi:10.1128/aem.56.11.3458-3462.1990

Oxidation of Manganese and Iron by Leptothrix discophora: Use of N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl-p-Phenylenediamine as an Indicator of Metal Oxidation

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1990 Nov;56(11):3458-62. doi: 10.1128/aem.56.11.3458-3462.1990.

Authors

E W de Vrind-de Jong¹, P L Corstjens, E S Kempers, P Westbroek, J P de Vrind

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biochemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 5, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.

Abstract

A new method for the quantification and characterization of manganese-oxidizing activity by spent culture medium of Leptothrix discophora SS-1 was developed. It is based on the formation of the dye Wurster blue from N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine by oxidized manganese generated in the spent medium. The kinetic parameters thus obtained agreed well with data obtained with other methods. It was also possible to demonstrate iron oxidation by spent culture medium. The kinetics of the process and inhibition by enzyme poisons suggest that iron oxidation is enzymatically catalyzed. Probably two different factors are involved in manganese and iron oxidation.