Dinitrophenol influences the rate and yield of Acetobacter methanolicus during the growth on glucose

Acetobacter methanolicuswas grown on glucose in the presence of dinitrophenol (DNP) under carbon/energy‐limited conditions. DNP affected both the growth yield and the growth rate (Dsh) at which the energy generation was shifted from a complete to an incomplete substrate oxidation by using the PQQ‐linked glucose dehydrogenase. The more the growth yield was decreased, the higher both the DNP concentration and the growth rate became. At about 0.53 mM DNP, growth was completely stopped. Dsh decreased from 0.21h−1in the absence of DNP to 0.175 h−1and 0.075 h−1in the presence of 0.2 mM and 0.4 mM DNP, respectively. The experimental data are discussed in terms of the limitations in the generation of energy and some stress situations which are exerted by the presence of the uncoupler.