Microbial Nutrition

Micronutrients and macronutrients, Different types of Media with e.g., Synthetic and selective media,

Microbial Nutrition
Cell metabolism

Nutritional Categories of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are often grouped according to the sources of energy they use:
Phototrophs use light as an energy source
Photosynthesis

Chemotrophs use chemicals as energy sources

Chemoorganotroph Chemolithotroph

Biochemical Components of Cells

Water: 80 % of wet weight Dry weight
Protein 40-70 % Nucleic acid 13-34% Lipid 10-15 % Also monomers, intermediates and inorganic ions

Macronutrients
Cells make proteins, nucleic acids and lipids Macronutrients
macromolecules, metabolism C, H, O, N, S, P, K, Mg, Fe Sources
Organic compounds Inorganic salts

Micronutrients
Elements needed in trace quantities
Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, V Enzymes tap water

Growth factors
Organic compounds Vitamins

Defined / Complex Media

Defined
Prepared with precise amounts of chemicals Known composition

Complex
Exact composition unknown Digests of beef, soybean, yeast

Other Culturing Considerations

pH Oxygen concentration Temperature Light / carbon dioxide (phototrophic organisms)

Role of Oxygen in Nutrition

Obligate aerobes require O2 Obligate anaerobes O2 is toxic Facultative anaerobes Microaerophilic organisms

Transport of Nutrients into the Cell

Nutrients are obtained from the environment Many of the nutrients are polar Cannot diffuse across the cell membrane Proteins embedded in the membrane Transport against a concentration gradient active transport

Bioenergetics
Living cells require energy for growth, biosynthesis, reproduction and transport Energy needed to drive the biochemical reactions of cells is stored and transferred via adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Fermentation and Respiration

Chemoorganotrophs obtain their energy from oxidation of organic compounds
loss of electrons/removal of hydrogen

Fermentation
No terminal electron acceptor

Respiration
Terminal electron acceptor (e.g. O2)

Glycolysis
C6H12O6 ADP ATP C3H4O3 glucose NAD+ NADH + H+ pyruvic acid

Substrate-level phosphorylation
CH2 COPO3H2 COOH phosphoenol pyruvic acid ADP ATP CH3 C O COOH pyruvic acid

Fermentation products
Need to regenerate NAD+ Reduce pyruvic acid
NADH + H+ C3H4O3 pyruvic acid NAD+ C3H5O3 lactic acid

Oxidative phosphorylation
Occurs in respiration (aerobic and anaerobic) Proton motive force
Electrons from NADH are passed along an electron transport chain Protons are pumped across membrane Electrochemical gradient Drives ATP synthesis from ADP and Pi

Summary
Nutrients
Macronutrients/micronutrients Defined/complex media Cell membranes

Energy production
Different modes

Further reading
Madigan MT, JM Martinko, J Parker, 2000. Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 9th Edition. Chapters 3 and 4.