Bacteria that convert nitrogen in industry and atmosphere:
In industry:
Clostridium pasteurianum: This bacterium is used in the industrial production of acetone, butanol, and ethanol through a process called the Weizmann fermentation. As a byproduct of this process, C. pasteurianum also fixes atmospheric nitrogen, making it a valuable organism for both industrial and agricultural purposes.📷Opens in a new window📷www.slideserve.comClostridium pasteurianum bacteria
Azotobacter vinelandii: This bacterium is another nitrogen fixer that is used in some industrial processes, such as the production of bioplastics. A. vinelandii is also being studied for its potential use in bioremediation, the process of cleaning up contaminated soil and water.📷Opens in a new window📷invdes.com.mxAzotobacter vinelandii bacteria
In the atmosphere:
Rhizobia: These bacteria are found in root nodules of leguminous plants, such as soybeans and peas. Rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into ammonia, which is then used by the plants to make amino acids, proteins, and other essential compounds.📷Opens in a new window📷www.krugerseed.comRhizobia bacteria
Cyanobacteria: These single-celled organisms are sometimes called blue-green algae. They are found in water and soil and can fix atmospheric nitrogen. Cyanobacteria play an important role in the nitrogen cycle, and they are also a source of food for some animals.📷Opens in a new window📷microbiologynotes.comCyanobacteria bacteria
These are just a few examples of the many different bacteria that can convert nitrogen into usable forms. Nitrogen fixation is a vital process for both industry and agriculture, and these bacteria play an important role in keeping our planet healthy.
Rhizobium bacteria are soil microbes that can transform atmospheric nitrogen into a dissolved compound. Rhizobium bacteria are found in the root nodules of woody plants. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria include species of Azotobacter, Bacillus, Clostridium, and Klebsiella. As previously noted, these organisms must find their own source of energy, typically by oxidizing organic molecules released by other organisms or from decomposition. Nitrogen is converted from atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into usable forms, such as NO2-, in a process known as fixation. The majority of nitrogen is fixed by bacteria, most of which are symbiotic with plants. Recently fixed ammonia is then converted to biologically useful forms by specialized bacteria. Atmospheric nitrogen gas becomes a source of nitrogen for plants, but it must first be processed into a usable form, a function again performed mostly by bacteria. The bacteria combine nitrogen with hydrogen to produce ammonia which they then convert further using enzymes to make their own organic compounds. Rhizobium is the type of bacteria which is found in the roots of leguminous plants and converts atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates. Bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds like ammonia are called nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria make nitrogen available for the plants. These are of 2 types, symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Rhizobium and non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Azotobacter. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), discovered by Beijerinck in 1901 (Beijerinck 1901), is carried out by a specialized group of prokaryotes. These organisms utilize the enzyme nitrogenase to catalyze the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). Nitrogen is converted from atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into usable forms, such as NO2-, in a process known as fixation. The majority of nitrogen is fixed by bacteria, most of which are symbiotic with plants. Recently fixed ammonia is then converted to biologically useful forms by specialized bacteria. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms that are capable of transforming nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into “fixed nitrogen” compounds, such as ammonia, that are usable by plants.