Delayed fluorescence from bacteriochlorophyll in Chromatium vinosum chromatophores.

Delayed fluorescence from bacteriochlorophyll in Chromatium vinosum chromatophores was studied at room temperature and under intermittent illuminations. The decay of delayed fluorescence was constituted of two components; a fast component decayed with a half time of about 8 ms, a slow one decayed in parallel with the reduction of photooxidized bacteriochlorophyll (P+) with a half time of 100-200 ms. The biphasic decay of delayed fluorescence indicated that a rapid equilibrium was established between the primary electron acceptor and the secondary acceptor. In the presence of o-phenanthroline, the time course of the decay of delayed fluorescence was identical with that of the reduction of P+ in reaction center-rich subchromatophore particles, although they did not necessarily coincide with each other in "intact" chromatophores. The intensity of the slow component was increased and the decay was accelerated at basic pH values. Reagents that dissipate the proton gradient across the chromatophore membranes such as carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and nigericin accelerated the decay of the slow component. These effects are probably resulting from changes in internal pH of chromatophore vesicles. Reagents that dissipate the membrane potential such as CCCP and valinomycin decreased the intensity.