Utilization of light energy by the strictly aerobic bacterium Erythrobacter sp. OCH114.

The ability of Erythrobacter to utilize light energy in the aerobic environment is reported. The cellular ATP level increased in light. Incorporation of 14CO2 was clearly enhanced by light. In contrast to other known photosynthetic bacteria, the CO2-incorporation activity in Erythrobacter was stimulated by oxygen. The favorable effect of light on the survival of Erythrobacter was observed in the absence of an organic energy source.