Light absorption by phototrophic bacteria: effects of scattering, cell concentration and size of the culture vessel

Autors/ores

  • Olga Sánchez Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
  • Jordi Mas Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Paraules clau:

light absorption, phototrophic bacteria, light scattering, bacterial biomass, culture size

Resum

This article analyzes how absorption of light by suspensions of phototrophic bacteria is modulated by changes in the biomass of the culture, the size of the culture vessel and by the presence of refractile structures within the cells. Increases in biomass and culture size result in higher rates of light absorption but in the decrease of the amount of energy available per cell. The presence of refractile structures has different consequences depending on the biomass concentration. In dense cultures, the accumulation of refractile structures increases the reflection of light, and also reduces specific light absorption. In diluted cultures, however, the effect is the opposite, and refractile structures seem to increase light absorption.

Descàrregues

Publicat

2010-03-16

Número

Vol. 2 Núm. 4 (1999)

Secció

Articles

Llicència

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