Desulfuromonas

bacteria

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June 25, 2026

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Desulfuromonas are a genus of bacteria that play a role in the sulfur cycle. These microorganisms are capable of reducing sulfur compounds. Specifically, Desulfuromonas can reduce elemental sulfur to sulfide. This process is a form of anaerobic respiration, where sulfur acts as the final electron acceptor. This is distinct from Desulfovibrio, another genus of bacteria, which reduces sulfates to hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur bacteria, in general, are vital for metabolizing sulfur and its compounds in nature.123

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bacteria
Heterotrophic metabolism
Desulfovibrio and Desulfuromonas reduce sulfate and elemental sulfur (S), respectively, yielding sulfide (S²⁻), and the bacterium Acetobacterium woodii and methanogenic archaea, such as Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus, reduce carbon dioxide to acetate and methane, respectively. The Archaea typically use hydrogen as an electron donor with carbon
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Desulfovibrio and Desulfuromonas reduce sulfate and elemental sulfur (S), respectively, yielding sulfide (S²⁻), and the bacterium Acetobacterium woodii and methanogenic archaea, such as Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus, reduce carbon dioxide to acetate and methane, respectively. The Archaea typically use hydrogen as an electron donor with carbon
Read More