Definition and Process Ammonification

Ammonification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle, the natural cycle of the earth which makes the supply of these essential elements became available for living organisms.

This is done by a variety of microorganisms found in soil and water, which break down proteins and amino acids in plants and animals die, and dirt, releasing ammonia, which is usually stored in the soil or water in the form of ammonium ions.

The groups other microorganisms turn it into nitrate, which can be absorbed by plants, keeping the cycle. Ammonification It is therefore essential for all plant and animal life on this planet. In the field of agriculture and horticulture, the addition of compost and manure into the soil to provide an additional source of nitrogen for ammonification.

Nitrogen is essential to all life forms as needed for amino acids, proteins and DNA; However, although many in the atmosphere, it can not be absorbed directly in the form of the element by most organisms.

Several types of soil bacteria are capable of trapping nitrogen atmosphere - a process known as nitrogen fixation - and combine it with hydrogen to produce ammonia, which is then oxidized by nitrification bacteria to nitrite and then nitrate. Elemental form that can be absorbed by plants and converted into amino acids, which are linked together to form proteins.

These compounds are returned to the soil when the plants, or animals that eat them and die and through animal waste, but most organisms can not absorb and process them: they must first be broken down into a form suitable.

Ammonification is a process - undertaken by a variety of microorganisms - which break down proteins, amino acids, and other nitrogen-containing compounds in dead organic matter and waste to form ammonia. Protein is first split into amino acids, which are compounds that contain amine groups (NH2) by bacteria use enzymes known as proteases. Amino acids, and other compounds with an amine group, such as nucleic acids and urea, then decomposed by microorganisms known as ammonifying bacteria, releasing ammonia (NH3). It is soluble in water, and typically form the ammonium ion (NH4 +), by combining with hydrogen ions (H +), which is abundant in most soils. This ammonium is oxidized to nitrite and nitrate by nitrification bacteria, in the same way as nitrogen that has been "fixed" from the atmosphere.