Effect of Light and Organic Acids on Oxygen Uptake by BTAi 1, a Photosynthetic Rhizobium.

A photosynthetic rhizobium, strain BTAi 1, was cultured ex planta to investigate its photosynthetic-respiratory system and the response of this interactive system to light quantity and quality and to the addition of organic acids. Oxygen uptake, as measured with an oxygen electrode, is diminished upon illumination, with the amount of decrease related to light intensity. This oxygen-sparing effect is correlated with the wavelengths of light that are associated with bacteriochlorophyll absorbance. Increasing concentrations of glutamic, succinic, and malic acids enhance the oxygen-sparing effect of light until a threshold concentration is reached, beyond which succinic and malic acids decrease the effect. The photobiology of this unique rhizobium is similar to the photobiology of both anaerobic and aerobic photosynthetic bacteria.