• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.955-959
• /
• 2003

Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 is capable of synthesizing inactive apo-glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). To become an active holo enzyme, the GDH requires a cofactor, PQQ. When R. tropici CIAT 899 was grown in a broth culture medium containing hydroxyapatite and pyrrolo quinoline quinone (PQQ), pH decreased while the concentration of soluble P increased. The solubilization of hydroxyapatite was associated with the production of gluconic acid and 2-ketogluconic acids. The organic acid production and P solubilization were greatly enhanced when the bacterium was grown with air supply. Effect of R. tropici CIAT 899 with (CI＋PQQ) and without PQQ (CI) on the common bean growth was examined. Shoot and root weight, and N and P contents in CI＋PQQ treatment, were significantly higher than those in control and CI treatment. Nodule weight and acetylene reducing activities were also significantly higher in CI＋PQQ treatment than in other treatments.