A study of magnetic behavior and growth kinetics in Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum

Aquispirillum magnerotacticum is a Gram-negative hetrotrophic bacteria that belongs to a class of magnetotactic bacteria present in marine marches and sediments. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is a Gram-negative, acidophillic chemolithotrophic bacterium that has chemical conditions, within the cytoplasmic membrane, similar to Aquispirillum magnetotacticum to support growth of magnetosomes. Magnetosomes are intracellular bodies that accumulate within the cytoplasm under slightly aerobic conditions. Magnetotactic motion occurs in an external magnetic field with a velocity that depends on the viscosity of the medium. Studies using the Atomic Force Microscope equipped with a magnetic tip showed the presence of magnetosomes in these bacteria strains. The size, and shape of magnetosomes in Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum and Thiobacillus ferrooxidans strains were characterized.;The...