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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, May 2002, p. 2436-2444, Vol. 68, No. 5
0099-2240/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.68.5.2436-2444.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Melanin Production and Use as a Soluble Electron Shuttle for Fe(III) Oxide Reduction and as a Terminal Electron Acceptor by Shewanella algae BrY{dagger}

Charles E. Turick,* Louis S. Tisa, and Frank Caccavo, Jr.,{ddagger}

Department of Microbiology University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824-2617

Received 17 October 2001/ Accepted 15 February 2002

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) utilize numerous compounds as terminal electron acceptors, including insoluble iron oxides. The mechanism(s) of insoluble-mineral reduction by DMRB is not well understood. Here we report that extracellular melanin is produced by Shewanella algae BrY. The extracted melanin served as the sole terminal electron acceptor. Upon reduction the reduced, soluble melanin reduced insoluble hydrous ferric oxide in the absence of bacteria, thus demonstrating that melanin produced by S. algae BrY is a soluble Fe(III)-reducing compound. In the presence of bacteria, melanin acted as an electron conduit to Fe(III) minerals and increased Fe(III) mineral reduction rates. Growth of S. algae BrY occurred in anaerobic minimal medium supplemented with melanin extracted from previously grown aerobic cultures of S. algae BrY. Melanin produced by S. algae BrY imparts increased versatility to this organism as a soluble Fe(III) reductant, an electron conduit for iron mineral reduction, and a sole terminal electron acceptor that supports growth.

* Corresponding author. Present address: Environmental Biotechnology, Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Building 999-W, Aiken, SC 29808. Phone: (803) 819-8407. Fax: (803) 819-8432. E-mail: charles.turick{at}srs.gov.

{dagger} Scientific Contribution number 2091 from the NH Agricultural Experimental Station.

{ddagger} Present address: Department of Biology, Whitworth College, Spokane, WA 99251.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, May 2002, p. 2436-2444, Vol. 68, No. 5
0099-2240/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.68.5.2436-2444.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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