ANAMMOX -- Anaerobic ammonium oxidation

 

ANAMMOX

- Nandini Das

Anammox is an abbreviation for anaerobic ammonium oxidation, is a globally important microbial process of the nitrogen cycle.

Nitrite and Ammonium ions are converted directly into diatomic nitrogen and water in anaerobic conditions.

Overall reaction:

                 NH₄⁺ + NO₂^-  →  N₂ + 2H₂O

•         Globally, this process may be responsible for 30-50% of the N₂ gas produced in the oceans, it is the thus a major sink for fixed nitrogen.

                                                          

•  The bacteria that perform the anammox process belong to the bacterial phylum Plancomycetes.                                                                                                                     
•      Currently, five anammox genera have been discovered:  Bracadia, Kuenia, Anammoxoglobus, Jettenia(all fresh water species), and Scalindua (marine species)

•        The anammox bacteria are characterized by several striking properties:

Ø They all possess one anammoxosome, a membrane bound compartment inside the cytoplasm which is the locus of anammox catabolism.

Ø Further the membranes of these bacteria mainly consist of ladderane lipids so far, the unique in biology.

Ø In chemistry, a ladderane is an organic molecule containing two or more fused cyclobutane rings. The name arises from the resemblance of a series of fused cyclobutane rings to a ladder.

Ø  Denitrification of water bodies and waste water treatment involve anammox.