NITRATE REDUCTION BY CL. WELCHII

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Abstract
Washed cell suspensions of Clostridium welchii contain a specific nitrate reductase, catalyzing the reaction NO3-[long dash]NO2. The enzymatic reduction of nitrate is coupled with enzymatic dehydrogenation of glucose or ethanol or with a hydrogenase system in the presence of H2. Nitrate reductase has a lower normal redox potential; neutral red is effective as an intermediary H-carrier, but this is not the case with methylene blue. The optimum pH of nitrate reductase is 6.5-7. The reductase is inhibited by KCN, CH2 ICOOH, and thiourea. By adding KNO3 to the culture medium, the reductase is enriched adaptively.