The role of cytochrome c in the chromate reduction by Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

The photosynthetic purple non-sulphur bacterium Rhodobacter (R.) sphaeroides has been proposed as main actor in several bioremediation processes given its highly versatile metabolism. As previously showed, R. sphaeroides can grow photosynthetically in presence of chromate, a well know and dangerous water-soluble pollutant. The main strategy employed by the bacterium for chromate pollution abatement is its reduction to the less toxic Cr3+ form.