Evidence for Use of Methylated Sulfur Compounds by Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria Isolated from a Salt Marsh

Abstract

Anoxygenic phototrophs were isolated from salt marsh sediments and creek waters. Several of the isolates obtained were able to consume dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulf ide (DMDS) during growth in the light. Rhodopseudomonassulfidophila was the most abundant phototroph in the marsh and also displayed the greatest ability to metabolize DMS. DMS stimulated CO2 fixation in R. sulfidophila. DMSO was the most likely product of DMS metabolism.