ANALYSIS OF PIGMENTS IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIUM STRAIN H3

Photosynthehc bacterium strain H3 was isolated from microbial mat of evaporation pond in the saltern of Hainan Island. The absorphon spectrum of living cells showed characteristics peaks of bacteriochlorophyll a and the higher peak of carotenoids.Thin-layer chromatography revealed 5 major photosynthetic pigments including 3 carotenoids with absorption maxima at 485 nm and 516nm, 481nm and 510nm, 486tim and 521nm, respectively in acetone. The total carotenoid content is about 0.6% of dry cell weight An easily solubilized carotenoid - contaning protein has been purified, and SDS-PAGE indicated a single polypeptide of MW 11,000 in the orange protein. A bacceriopnaeophytin is also found. Culture conditions such as light and temperature effect on pigment composihons were examined in photosynthetic bacteria.