Introductory Microbiology

Other mineral requirement

• In addition to C,N,P, and S, microorganisms also need a large number of metals in trace quantities. They are essential for the functioning of various enzymes and co-enzymes in the cells.
  Elements                  Functions
  1) Potassium -    Co-factor of some enzymes
  2) Mg -                Co-factor is enzymatic reactions, binds enzymes to substrates.
  3) Fe -                 Constituent of cytochromes and other heme and non heme proteins, co-factor of many enzymes
  4) Ca -                 Co-factor for enzymes such as protease
  5) Mn -               Co-factor for some enzymes, can replace Mg in some cases
  6) Cu, Zn, Mo. - Inorganic constituent of some enzymes
  7) Cobalt –          Constituent of VB12 and its co-enzyymes.