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. 1991 Nov;57(11):3237–3242. doi: 10.1128/aem.57.11.3237-3242.1991

Production and Consumption of Dimethylsulfoniopropionate in Marine Microbial Mats

Pieter T Visscher 1,†,*, Hans van Gemerden 1
PMCID: PMC183954  PMID: 16348586

Abstract

The fate of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a major sulfonium compound in marine ecosystems, was examined in Microcoleus chthonoplastes-dominated microbial mats. Chemical decomposition of DMSP was observed under laboratory conditions at pH values higher than 10.0. pH profiles measured in situ showed that these highly alkaline conditions occurred in microbial mats. Axenic cultures of M. chthonoplastes contained 37.3 μmol of DMSP g of protein−1, which was partially liberated when the cells were subjected to an osmotic shock. DMSP-amended mat slurries showed a rapid turnover of this compound. The addition of glutaraldehyde blocked DMSP decrease, indicating biological consumption. Populations of potential dimethyl sulfide consumers were found in the top 10 mm of the mat.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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