The Function of Humic Acids in Reactions Catalyzed by Geobacter metallireducens

The Function of Humic Acids in Reactions Catalyzed by Geobacter metallireducens 

This organism is able to oxidize acetate to CO2 under anaerobic conditions in the presence of Fe(III). A study of the intermediate role of humic and fulvic acids used ESR to detect and quantify free radicals produced from oxidized humic acids by cells of G. metallireducens in the presence of acetate. There was a substantial increase in the radical concentration after incubation with the cells, and it was plausibly suggested that these were semiquinones produced from quinone entities in the humic and fulvic structures (Scott et al. 1998). 

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