Evaluation of cell wall-associated direct extracellular electron transfer in thermophilic Geobacillus sp.

Abstract

In this study, a cell wall-associated extracellular electron transfer (EET) was determined in the thermophilic Geobacillus sp. to utilize iron as a terminal electron acceptor. The direct extracellular transfer of its electrons was primarily linked to the cell wall cytochrome-c and diffusible redox mediators like flavins during the anoxic condition. Based on the azo dye decolouration and protein film voltammetry, it was revealed that, in the absence of surface polysaccharide and diffusible mediators, the cell wall-associated EET pathway was likely to be a favorable mechanism in Geobacillus sp. Since the permeability of such redox molecule is primarily limited to the cell wall, the electron transfer occurs by direct contact with cell wall-associated cytochrome and final electron acceptor. Furthermore, transfer of electrons with the help of redox shuttling molecules like riboflavin from cytochrome to cells, vice versa indicates that Geoabcillus sp. has adopted this unique pathway during an anoxic environment for its respiration.