Contribution of kinetics and thermodynamics to selectivity in microbial oxidation-reduction reaction

Abstract

The change in reaction Gibbs free energy (D_rG [kJ mol^-1]) is an indicator of the energy value of a reaction. However, there are microorganisms capable of "splitting" reactions with low D_rG. Based on theoretical research using reaction models described by differential equations, this study revealed the existence of conditions where the reaction rate and power generation of the split reaction surpass those of the "complete" reaction. Particularly, in reactions with relatively large standard reaction Gibbs free energy change (D_rGº), it is suggested that the selectivity of microbial oxidation-reduction reactions may not be solely determined by the value of D_rG. ("D" in this abstract should be replaced by Delta.)