Abstract
The ability of the pathogenic bacterium Slaphylococcus aureus and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans to nitrify, solubilize insoluble phosphate and silicic acid and oxidise elemental sulphur was determined in vitro. Both organisms oxidised ammonium to nitrate, with C albicans being particularly active; similarly, both organisms oxidised elemental sulphur and solubilized silicic acid. In contrast, while C. albicans solubilized insoluble phosphate, S. aureus was incapable of such solubilizaton; since Staphylococcus pasteuri was shown to be capable of solubilizing phosphate the lack of ability, in this respect seen in S. aureus, is not characteristic of all species of Staphylococcus. The results are discussed in relation to the possible role of human pathogenic microorganisms in mineral cycling in soil.