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ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION-Nitrate Reduction

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17 views14 pages

ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION-Nitrate Reduction

Uploaded by

mittaljessika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ANAEROBIC

RESPIRATION-Nitrate
Reduction

FROM NITRATE TO
NITROGEN
Did You Know?
•Microbial nitrate reduction is responsible for over 50% of global
nitrogen cycling!

•Denitrification contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, producing


nitrous oxide (N₂O), which is nearly 300 times more potent than
CO₂.

•Without microbial nitrate reduction, life on Earth would face a severe


nitrogen deficit!
What is Nitrate Reduction?
Nitrate reduction is the process by which microorganisms reduce nitrate
(NO₃⁻) to various nitrogen compounds, including nitrite (NO₂⁻), nitric
oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and nitrogen gas (N₂).

One of the most common alternative electron acceptors is nitrate, NO3-,


which can be reduced to nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO), and
dinitrogen (N2). Because these products of nitrate reduction are all
gaseous, they can easily be lost from the environment, a process called
denitrification.
Types of Nitrate Reduction?

There are two types of nitrate reduction that


is:
• Assimilatory Nitrate Reduction
• Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction
What is Assimilatory Nitrate
Reduction?

 Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is reduced to nitrite (NO₂ ⁻) and


further incorporated into cellular biomass
(amino acids, proteins).

 Primarily occurs in the presence of oxygen.

 Important for microbial growth and


biosynthesis.

 EXAMPLE: Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis


What is Dissimilatory Nitrate
Reduction?

 Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is reduced to nitrogen gas (N₂) or other nitrogenous


gases (N₂O, NO).

 Occurs under anaerobic conditions as part of denitrification.

 Nitrate is not incorporated into biomass but used as an electron


acceptor for energy production.

 EXAMPLE: Paracoccus denitrificans, Pseudomonas spp.


Enzymes Involved
Nitrate Reductase: A molybdenum-containing membrane-integrated
enzyme whose synthesis is repressed by molecular oxygen.

 Catalyzes the reduction of nitrate (NO₃⁻) to nitrite (NO₂ ⁻).

 Found in both assimilatory and dissimilatory nitrate reduction pathways.

Nitrite Reductase :

 Converts nitrite (NO₂⁻) to nitric oxide (NO).

 Key in denitrification (anaerobic conditions).


Nitric Oxide Reductase:

 Reduces nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N₂O).

 Essential for completing the denitrification process.

Nitrous Oxide Reductase:

 Converts nitrous oxide (N₂O) to nitrogen gas (N₂).

 Final enzyme in the denitrification pathway.


Pathways of Nitrate Reduction:
A multi-step process where nitrate (NO₃⁻) is reduced to nitrogen gas (N₂) under anaerobic
conditions.

Step 1: Nitrate (NO₃⁻) → Nitrite (NO₂⁻) (via Nitrate Reductase)

Step 2: Nitrite (NO₂⁻) → Nitric Oxide (NO) (via Nitrite Reductase)

Step 3: Nitric Oxide (NO) → Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) (via Nitric Oxide Reductase)

Step 4: Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) → Nitrogen Gas (N₂) (via Nitrous Oxide Reductase)
APPLICATIONS
Agriculture: Nitrate reduction plays a crucial role in soil
fertility and nutrient cycling, influencing nitrogen availability
for plants.

Wastewater Treatment:Nitrate reduction, particularly


denitrification, is employed in wastewater treatment plants
to remove excess nitrates from effluents.
Industrial Applications:Nitrate reduction is used in some industrial
fermentation processes where nitrate acts as an electron acceptor for
microbial growth.

Food Safety:Some microorganisms capable of nitrate reduction are used in


fermentation processes (e.g., in the production of cheese, meats) to inhibit
spoilage and prevent pathogenic growth.
FUN FACTS
Nitrate Reductase: The "Switch" in Microbial Metabolism:
•Nitrate reductase is like a "switch" for some bacteria. It’s only produced when nitrate is
available, allowing the bacteria to switch from using oxygen to nitrate for energy production in
oxygen-deprived environments.

Bacteria Can Influence Taste of Wine!


•Certain denitrifying bacteria can grow in wine barrels and reduce nitrates, contributing to
unwanted flavors. Winemakers now monitor these microbes closely to maintain wine quality.

Nitrate Reduction Happens in Your Nose!


•Human nasal bacteria, like Staphylococcus species, perform nitrate reduction to produce nitric
oxide (NO), which helps fight pathogens and maintain respiratory health.
REFERENCES

Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 15th Edition


THANKYOU!!
BY: DEWANSHI
(A27004123009)

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