Desulfuromonadales

Desulfuromonadales is an order of bacteria within the class Deltaproteobacteria. This order is characterized by its unique ability to reduce sulfur compounds to obtain energy, a process known as anaerobic respiration.

Taxonomy

The order Desulfuromonadales is divided into several families, including Desulfuromonadaceae, Geobacteraceae, and Pelobacteraceae. Each of these families contains multiple genera and species, all of which share the common trait of sulfur reduction.

Metabolism

Desulfuromonadales are known for their ability to reduce sulfur compounds, such as sulfate, sulfite, and elemental sulfur, to hydrogen sulfide in the process of anaerobic respiration. This metabolic pathway allows them to survive in environments where oxygen is scarce or absent, such as deep-sea sediments or anaerobic sludge.

Ecology

Desulfuromonadales play a crucial role in the sulfur cycle, a biogeochemical cycle that involves the transformation of sulfur and its compounds in the environment. By reducing sulfur compounds, these bacteria contribute to the production of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that can be further oxidized by other bacteria or abiotic processes.

Health implications

While Desulfuromonadales are not typically pathogenic, they can contribute to the production of hydrogen sulfide in the human gut, which has been associated with various health issues, including inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

File:Desulfuromonadales.jpg

Desulfuromonadales bacteria under a microscope

See also

• Sulfur-reducing bacteria
• Anaerobic respiration
• Sulfur cycle

References

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