Nutrients for the Selective Growth of Specific Bacteria

Nutrients play an important role in the growth and activity of any bacteria, no less in the case of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). Nutrients provide for growth and resilience. Different simple and complex organic substrates have been reported to serve as electron donors, carbon, and nitrogen sources for SRB. The growth of SRB not only depends on the availability of these nutrients, but also on the C/N ratio. The optimum C/N ratio for SRB depends on the source and characteristics of the substrates and other substances present that control release. In association with fermenting bacteria, the SRB metabolize the substrates using a complex and nonuniform pathway. The metabolism of the carbon sources is via complete and incomplete oxidation processes, whereas some SRB strains utilize the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This chapter describes state-of-the-art research in the area, and relevant findings for the ongoing discussion.