Pyruvate inhibition of the carbon dioxide fixation of the strict chemolithotroph Thiobacillus thiooxidans.

A flow-through dialysis system used to decrease the concentrations of toxic organic materials excreted by Thiobacillus thiooxidans permitted an improved efficiency of carbon dioxide fixation when compared with cells taken from the usual shaken culture. The additions of various concentrations of pyruvic acid and succinic acid inhibited growth significantly. Pyruvate at a concentration of 5 X 10(-3) M completely inhibited the respiration of resting cells oxidizing sulfur. The toxicity of pyruvic acid was found to be permanent as evidenced by the inability to obtain satisfactory oxidation rates after washing the exposed cells twice in buffer. Both pyruvate (10(-3) M) and succinate (10(-3) M) inhibited carbon dioxide fixation by 84%.