Nitrogenase in synchronized Azotobacter vinelandii OP

Abstract

Azotobacter vinelandii OP was synchronized by the continuous phased culture technique. The nitrogenase (nitrogen:(acceptor) oxidoreductase) (EC 1.7.99.2) activity of the culture was determined continuously within the fermentor by acetylene reduction. Addition of NH4+ in excess of 5 × 10−3 M to the culture lowered nitrogenase activity immediately. Other sources of fixed nitrogen had no immediate effect on nitrogenase activity, but nitrogenase synthesis decreased in the cell cycle following the one in which the fixed nitrogen was added.