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Abstract: A microcalorimetric technique was used to evaluate the influence of Er3+ on Halobacterium halobium R1 growth. By means of a LKB-2277 Bioactivity Monitor ampoule method, we obtained the thermogenic curves of H. halobium R1 growth at 37C. In order to analyze the results, the relationship between k and C was obtained. The addition of Er3+ in low concentration cause a decrease of the maximum heat production P max and growth rate constants k; however, Er3+ in a high concentration might promote growth of H. halobium R1. When Er3+ is in a much higher concentration, the growth of H. halobium R1 is inhibited completely. For comparison, the shapes of H. halobium R1 cells were observed by means of transmission electron microscope (TEM). According to the thermogenic curves and TEM photos of H. halobium R1 under different conditions, it is clear that the metabolic mechanism of H. halobium R1 growth has been changed with the addition of Er3+.

Abstract: By using an LKB-2277 Bioactivity Monitor, cycle-flow method, the thermogenic curves of aerobic growth for Bacillus thuringiensis cry II strain at 28�C have been obtained. The metabolic thermogenic curves of B. thuringiensis cry II contained two distinct patterns: the first reflects the changes during the bacterial growth phase and the second corresponds to the sporulation phase. From these thermogenic curves in the absence and presence of Sm3+ ions, the thermokinetic parameters such as the growth rate constants k, the interval time τI, the maximum power P max 1 and heat-output Q log for log phase, the maximum power P max 2 and heat-output Q stat for stationary phase, the heat-output Q spor for sporulation phase and total heat effects Q T are calculated. Sm3+ ion has promoting action on the growth of B. thuringiensis cry II in its lower concentration range; on the other hand, this ion has inhibitory action on the sporulation of B. thuringiensis in its higher concentration range. We also found that the effects of Sm3+ ion on B. thuringiensis during the sporulation phase were far greater than that during the bacterial phase. It is concluded that the application of B. thruringiensis of controlling insecticides is not affected by the presence of the rare-earth elements in the environmental ecosystem.

Abstract: Rare earth elements have been emitted into the environment largely as fertilizer components. This has caused much fear about whether they would influence our environment, especially on the metabolism and genetics of microorganisms. In this article, the trivalent ion of a rare earth element, lanthanum, was studied for the effects on growth, transformation, and gene expression of Escherichia coli. The results showed that La3+ at concentrations from 50 to 150 �g/mL stimulated the endogenic metabolism and ectogenic metabolism, but had few effects on gene expression. La3+ at lower concentrations from 0.5 to 30 �g/mL inhibit intensively E. coli-absorbing external DNA, decreasing the transformation efficiency. It is also supported by observations using transmission electron microscopy. Our results are significant in understanding the function of rare earth elements to microorganisms and assessing the risk of application of rare earth compounds.