CO 2 /HCO 3 − Accelerates Iron Reduction through Phenolic Compounds

Abstract

In an oxygenic environment, poorly soluble Fe 3+ must be reduced to meet the cellular Fe 2+ demand. This study demonstrates that elevated CO 2 /HCO 3 − levels accelerate chemical Fe 3+ reduction through phenolic compounds, thus increasing intracellular Fe 2+ availability. A number of biological environments are characterized by the presence of phenolic compounds and elevated HCO 3 − levels and include soil habitats and the human body. Fe 2+ availability is of particular interest in the latter, as it controls the infectiousness of pathogens. Since the effect postulated here is abiotic, it generally affects the Fe 2+ distribution in nature.