GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY - T.P. Pyrog - 2004

15. ELECTRON TRANSPORT UNDER ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS (ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION)

15.6. REDUCTION OF Fe (III) IONS TO Fe (II)

Mixed populations of soil Bacteria reduce Fe (III) ions to Fe (II) under anaerobic conditions. If the medium contains nitrate and nitrite ions In addition to Fe (III), the denitrification process occurs first (reduction of nitrate to nitrite and molecular nitrogen), followed only then by the Reduction of Fe (III) ions. It is hypothesized that electron transfer to Fe (III) is mediated by nitrate reductase. Since nitrate reduction is coupled with Oxidative Phosphorylation, it is evident that Fe (III) reduction can also be utilized in The process of Anaerobic Respiration. The Redox Potential of the Fe3- Fe2- couple is +770 mV, making this reaction thermodynamically feasible. Given that iron(III) oxides are practically insoluble in Water, they must first be converted into a soluble form capable of penetrating the bacterial Cell. This is presumably achieved through the action of siderophores.



Last update: 12/08/2026

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