Photochemical Activities of Bacteriochlorophyll in Aerobically Grown Cells of Aerobic Heterotrophs, <italic>Erythrobacter</italic> Species (OCh 114) and <italic>Erythrobacter longus</italic> (OCh 101)

Abstract

Reversible photo-oxidation of cytochromes and reversible photobleaching of bacteriochlorophyll were observed in aerobically grown cells of the aerobic heterotroph, the Erythrobacter species (OCh 114). Light inhibited O2-uptake by cells of this bacterium and Erythrobacter longus (OCh 101). A vesicular structure of intracytoplasmic membrane systems was observed in sections of aerobically grown cells of OCh 114. These bacteria may be called aerobic photosynthetic bacteria (i.e., photosynthetic bacteria which can utilize light energy under aerobic conditions but not under anaerobic conditions).