The bacteria C. necator DSMZ 545 used in this study was
obtained from Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und
Zellkulturen (DSMZ), Germany. The culture was rehydrated in
nutrient media and grown for 24 h at 30 C before conserving in
70% glycerol. The innoculum was stored in 1.5 ml vials at 80 C
until being used