Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

6.1.3.5.2.Autotrophic denitrification

An alternative to heterotrophic biological denitrification is autotrophic denitrification which uses inorganic substance as electron donor, these substance include hydrogen and sulphur which utilize inorganic carbon compounds (CO₂ , HCO₃) as their carbon source.

Autotrophic denitrification with sulphur uses Thiobacillus denitrificans. This bacterium can reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas while oxidizing elemental sulfur or reduced sulphur compounds (S^2-, S₂ O₃^2-, SO₃^2-) to sulphate, thereby eliminating the need for organic compounds.