Production of xylanase from a newly isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> sp. ZH-30

A new strain of Penicillium sp. ZH-30 that produces xylanase was isolated from soil. According to the morphology and comparison of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA gene sequence, the strain Penicillium sp. ZH-30 was identified as a strain of Penicillium oxalicum. When xylan or wheat bran was used as substrate at 30°C for 3 days under submerged cultivation, xylanase production was 5.3 and 13.3 U ml⁻¹, respectively. The temperature and pH for optimum activity were 50°C and 5.0–6.0, respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lysobacter daecheongensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from sediment of stream near the Daechung dam in South Korea

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated Dae08^T, was isolated from sediment of the stream near Daechung dam in South Korea, and was characterized in order to determine its taxonomic position, using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Dae08^T belongs to the family Xanthomonadaceae of the Gammaproteobacteria, and is related to Lysobacter brunescens ATCC 29482^T (97.3%). The phylogenetic distances from any other species with validly published names within the genus Lysobacter were greater than 3.7%. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of strain Dae08^T was 69.3 mol%. The detection of a quinone system with Q-8 as the predominant compound and a fatty acid profile with iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:1, ω9c, iso-C_17:0, iso-C_16:0, and iso-C_11:0 3-OH as the major acids supported the affiliation of strain Dae08^T to the genus Lysobacter. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain Dae08^T and its phylogenetically closest neighbour was 28%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain Dae08^T (= KCTC 12600^T) should be classified in the genus Lysobacter as the novel species, for which the name Lysobacter daecheongensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces serianimatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a rhizophere soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated YIM 45720^T, was isolated from a Cephalotaxus fortunei rhizophere soil sample collected from Yunnan Province, southwest China. The strain formed well-differentiated aerial and substrate mycelia. Chemotaxonomically, it contained LL-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. The cell-wall sugars contained ribose, mannose, and galactose with traces of glucose and xylose. Phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. MK-9 (H₈) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids (>10%) were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:1 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G + C content of the DNA was 70 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis data based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YIM 45720^T formed a distinct branch with the type strain of Streptomyces scabrisporus JCM 11712^T within the genus Streptomyces. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 45720^T (=DSM 41883^T = CCTCC AA 206006^T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Streptomyces serianimatus sp. nov.     

Isolation of bisphenol A-tolerant/degrading <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas monteilii</Emphasis> strain N-502

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a highly biotoxic compound that kills many microorganisms at a low concentration (1,000 ppm). We isolated BPA-tolerant/degrading Pseudomonas monteilii strain N-502 from about 1,000 samples collected from a field, sewage, and pond water. The isolated strain had strong BPA tolerance and high BPA-degrading activity. This strain was able to grow in a minimum medium containing BPA as the sole carbon source. Strain N-502 is an aerobic, motile, gram-negative, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium and was identified as P. monteilii, based on 16 S rRNA gene analysis. Strain N-502 completely degraded BPA 500 ppm in a 10-day, in culture system and was able to degrade BPA 100 ppm in a 2-h resting cell system. This strain also showed potent ability to degrade BPA 500 and 1,000 ppm in the resting cell system. Moreover, the initial BPA degradation rate was accelerated with the addition of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and folic acid.     

Identification of a fibrinolytic enzyme by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus vallismortis</Emphasis> and its potential as a bacteriolytic enzyme against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus mutans</Emphasis>

A potent fibrinolytic enzyme-producing bacterium was isolated from the traditional Korean condiment Chungkook-jang and identified as Bacillus vallismortis Ace02. The extracellular fibrinolytic enzyme was purified with a 18% recovery of activity from supernatant cultures using CM-Sepharose column chromatography and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 757 kFU mg⁻¹. Its molecular mass was about 28 kDa and the initial amino acids of the N-terminal sequence were AQSVPYGVSQ. The full amino acid sequence of fibrinolytic enzyme Ace02 corresponded with bacteriolytic enzyme, L27, from Bacillus licheniformis, which has strong lytic activity against Streptococcus mutans, a major causative strain of dental caries. This suggests that the purified enzyme should be used for prevention of dental caries as well as being an effective thrombolytic agent.     

Multi-gene analysis reveals previously unrecognized phylogenetic diversity in Aliivibrio

The “Vibrio fischeri species group” recently was reclassified as a new genus, Aliivibrio, comprising four species, Aliivibrio fischeri, Aliivibrio logei, Aliivibrio salmonicida, and Aliivibrio wodanis. Only limited phylogenetic analysis of strains within Aliivibrio has been carried out, however, and taxonomic ambiguity is evident within this group, especially for phenotypically unusual strains and certain strains isolated from bioluminescent symbioses. Therefore, to examine in depth the evolutionary relationships within Aliivibrio and redefine the host affiliations of symbiotic species, we examined several previously identified and newly isolated strains using phylogenetic analysis based on multiple independent loci, gapA, gyrB, pyrH, recA, rpoA, the luxABE region, and the 16S rRNA gene. The analysis resolved Aliivibrio as distinct from Vibrio, Photobacterium, and other genera of Vibrionaceae, and resolved A. fischeri, A. salmonicida, A. logei, and A. wodanis as distinct, well-supported clades. However, it also revealed that several previously reported strains are incorrectly identified and that substantial unrecognized diversity exists in this genus. Specifically, strain ATCC 33715 (Y-1) and several other strains having a yellow-shifted luminescence were not members of A. fischeri. Furthermore, no strain previously identified as A. logei grouped with the type strain (ATCC 29985^T), and no bona-fide strain of A. logei was identified as a bioluminescent symbiont. Several additional strains identified previously as A. logei group instead with the type strain of A. wodanis (ATCC BAA-104^T), or are members of a new clade. Two strongly supported clades were evident within A. fischeri, a phylogenetic structure that might reflect differences in the host species or differences in the ecological incidence of strains. The results of this study highlight the importance of basing taxonomic conclusions on examination of type strains.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces nanningensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. a novel Streptomycete from forest soil

A strain YIM 33098^T (= CCTCC AA001027^T = DSM 41831^T) was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Nanning in Guangxi Province, China, in the course of screening for producers of new drug lead compounds. This strain was identified by using a polyphasic approach. The results showed that it should be assigned to the genus Streptomyces. An almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain was determined and compared with those of representative Streptomyces species. Strain YIM 33098^T was clustered in the same subclade with Streptomyces tendae ATCC19812^T and Streptomyces eurythermus ATCC14975^T. Similarities of strain YIM 33098^T with the two strains were 97.35% and 97.42%, respectively. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, it is therefore proposed that strain YIM 33098^T should be classified in the genus Streptomyces as a new species under the name of Streptomyces nanningensis sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halorubrum cibi</Emphasis> sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from salt-fermented seafood

Strain B31^T is a Gram-staining-negative, motile, and extremely halophilic archaeon that was isolated from salt-fermented seafood. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features, and 16S rRNA gene sequence were determined. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence and composition of its major polar lipids placed this archaeon in the genus Halorubrum of the family Halobacteriaceae. Strain B31^T showed 97.3, 97.2, and 96.9 % 16S rRNA similarity to the type strains of Halorubrum alkaliphilum, Hrr. tibetense, and Hrr. vacuolatum, respectively. Its major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP-Me) and sulfated diglycosyl diether (S-DGD). Genomic DNA from strain B31^T has a 61.7 mol% G+C content. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, as well as physiological and biochemical tests, identified genotypic and phenotypic differences between strain B31^T and other Halorubrum species. The type strain of the novel species is B31^T (=JCM 15757^T =DSM 19504^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Luteimonas aestuarii</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel bacterium B9^T was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features, and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Colonies of this strain are yellow and the cells are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and do not require NaCl for growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain B9^T is associated with the genus Lysobacter (≤ 97.2%), Xanthomonas (≤ 96.8%), Pseudomonas (≤ 96.7%), and Luteimonas (≤ 96.0%). However, within the phylogenetic tree, this novel strain shares a branching point with the species Luteimonas composti CC-YY255^T (96.0%). The DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed a DNA-DNA homology of 23.0% between strain B9^T and Luteimonas mephitis B1953/27.1^T. The G+C content of genomic DNA of the type strain is 64.7 mol% (SD, 1.1). The predominant fatty acids are iso-C_11:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0, iso-C_17:0 ω9c, and iso-C_11:0 3-OH. Combined analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, fatty acid profile, and results from physiological and biochemical tests indicated that there is genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from other Luteimonas species. For these reasons, strain B9^T was proposed as a novel species, named Luteimonas aestuarii. The type strain of the new species is B9^T (= KCTC 22048^T, DSM 19680^T).     

Anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> substances from endophytic fungal cultures

The human pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori has been ascertained to be an aetiological agent for chronic active gastritis and a significant determinant in peptic and duodenal ulcer diseases. Endophytic metabolites are being recognized as a versatile arsenal of antimicrobial agents, since some endophytes have been shown to possess superior biosynthetic capabilities owing to their presumable gene recombination with the host, while residing and reproducing inside the healthy plant tissues. A total of 32 endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal herb Cynodon dactylon(Poaceae) were grown in in vitroculture, and the ethyl acetate extracts of the cultures were examined in vitro for the anti-H. pylori activity. As a result, a total of 16 endophyte culture extracts were identified as having potent anti-H. pyloriactivities. Subsequently, a detailed bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract of the most active endophyte (strain number: CY725) identified as Aspergillussp., was performed to afford eventually four anti-H. pylori secondary metabolites. The four isolated compounds were identified through a combination of spectral and chemical methods (IR, MS, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR) to be helvolic acid, monomethylsulochrin, ergosterol and 3β-hydroxy-5α,8α-epidioxy- ergosta-6,22-diene with corresponding MICs of 8.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 30.0 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC of ampicillin co-assayed as a reference drug against H. pylori was 2.0 μg/ml. Furthermore, preliminary examination of the antimicrobial spectrum of helvolic acid, the most active anti-H. pylori metabolite characterized from the endophyte culture, showed that it was inhibitory to the growth of Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureusand Candida albicans with MICs of 15.0, 20.0 and 30.0 μg/ml, respectively.     

Nocardia rhamnosiphila sp. nov., isolated from soil

In this study two actinomycete strains were isolated in Cape Town (South Africa), one from a compost heap (strain 202GMO^T) and the other from within the fynbos-rich area surrounded by the horseracing track at Kenilworth Racecourse (strain C2). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence BLAST analysis, the strains were identified as members of the genus Nocardia. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains clustered together and are most closely related to Nocardia flavorosea NRRL B-16176^T, Nocardia testacea JCM 12235^T, Nocardia sienata IFM 10088^T and Nocardia carnea DSM 43397^T. This association was also supported by gyrB based phylogenetic analysis. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization and physiological tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of both strains 202GMO^T and C2 from related species. However, their high DNA relatedness showed that they belong to the same species. Strain 202GMO^T was selected as the type strain to represent this novel species, for which the name Nocardia rhamnosiphila is proposed (=DSM 45147^T = NRRL B-24637^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tindallia texcoconensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new haloalkaliphilic bacterium isolated from lake Texcoco,Mexico

A new alkaliphilic and moderately halophilic, strictly anaerobic, fermentative bacterium (strain IMP-300^T) was isolated from a groundwater sample in the zone of the former soda lake Texcoco in Mexico. Strain IMP-300^T was Gram-positive, non-sporulated, motile and rod-shaped. It grew within a pH range from 7.5 to 10.5, and an optimum at 9.5. The organism was obligately dependent on the presence of sodium salts. Growth showed an optimum at 35°C with absence of growth above 45°C. It fermented peptone and a few amino acids, preferentially arginine and ornithine, with production of acetate, propionate, and ammonium. Its fatty acid pattern was mainly composed of straight chain saturated, unsaturated, and cyclopropane fatty acids. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 40.0 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the new isolate belongs to the genus Tindallia, in the low G + C Gram-positive phylum. Phylogenetically, strain IMP-300^T has Tindallia californiensis, as closest relative with a 97.5% similarity level between their 16S rDNA gene sequences, but the DNA–DNA re-association value between the two DNAs was only 42.2%. On the basis of differences in genotypic, phenotypic, and phylogenetic characteristics, strain IMP-300^T is proposed as a new species of the genus Tindallia, T. texcoconensis sp. nov. (type strain IMP-300^T = DSM 18041^T = JCM 13990^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kazachstania wufongensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an ascosporogenous yeast isolated from soil in Taiwan

A new yeast species, Kazachstania wufongensis, is proposed in this paper based on six strains isolated from soil in Taiwan. The species may produce one to four ellipsoidal ascospores in each ascus, directly transformed from diploid cells. Genus assignment and distinction of the species from other recognized species of Kazachstania is based on morphological and physiological characteristics, and on phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene reveals that K. wufongensis is a member of the Kazachstania exigua complex, and its phylogenetically closest relatives are K. exigua, K. barnettii, K. bulderi, and K. turicensis. The species can be further differentiated from the other phylogenetically related species based on internal transcribed spacer sequence and electrophoretic karyotype. Therefore, the new species Kazachstania wufongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this new species, which was isolated from forest soil in Wufong, Hsinchu, Taiwan, is FN21S03^T (=CBS 10886^T = BCRC 23138^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mayteni</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a Chinese medicinal plant

An actinomycete strain, designated YIM 60475^T, was isolated from the roots of Maytenus austroyunnanensis and was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The strain was determined to belong to the genus Streptomyces, based on its phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics. The strain produced spiral spore chains on aerial mycelium. The cell wall contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained galactose, glucose, and xylose. The phospholipid was type II. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 73.3 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization and comparison of physiological and chemical characteristics suggested that strain YIM 60475^T is a new Streptomyces species, for which the name Streptomyces mayteni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 60475^T (=CCTCC AA 207005^T = KCTC 19383^T). Hua-Hong Chen and Sheng Qin contributed equally to this work.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus litoralis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline soil

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 089168^T, was isolated from saline soil collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 2–25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The strain contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0, and the DNA G + C content was 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 089168^T should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus carmonensis (sequence similarity 97.6%), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus halodenitrificans (97.1%). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 089168^T and the type strains of V. carmonensis, V. necropolis and V. halodenitrificans were 20.4, 14.3 and 12.0%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 089168^T represents a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 089168^T (=DSM 21085^T =KCTC 13228^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 089168^T is FJ425909.     

Characterization of a broad range antibacterial substance from a new <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> species isolated from Amazon basin

A Bacillus sp. strain producing a bacteriocin-like substance was characterized by biochemical profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that this strain has low sequence similarity with most Bacillus spp., suggesting a new species was isolated. The antimicrobial activity was detected starting at the exponential growth phase, and maximum activity was observed at stationary phase. The substance was inhibitory to a broad range of indicator strains, incluing pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, B. cereus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Erwinia carotovora, Pasteurella haemolytica, Salmonella Gallinarum, among other. The antibacterial substance was stable over a wide pH range, but it was sensitive to pronase E and lipase. The antibacterial substance was bactericidal and bacteriolytic to L. monocytogenes and B. cereus at 160 AU ml⁻¹. The identification of a broad range bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance active against L. monocytogenes addresses an important aspect of food protection against pathogens and spoilage microorganisms.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacillus naozhouensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071068^T, was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from the Naozhou Island on the Leizhou Bay in the South China Sea. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071068^T was able to grow with 1–20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 6–9%), at pH values of 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and a temperature range of 10–35°C (optimum, 25°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G + C content was 42.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071068^T belonged to the genus Halobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain JSM 071068^T and the type strains of the recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.9% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.3% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of H. alkaliphilus, Halobacillus campisalis, Halobacillus halophilus and Halobacillus seohaensis were 25.6, 22.1, 10.8 and 13.2%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 071068^T represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus naozhouensis sp. nov. is proposed, with JSM 071068^T (=DSM 21183^T =KCTC 13234^T) as the type strain. The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 071068^T is EU925615.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus camelliae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from fermented leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis>

A novel bacterium, strain blls-2^T was isolated from Pu’er tea. The isolate was Gram-positive, endospore-forming motile rod that grew at 15∼42°C and pH 6.0∼10.2. The DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol%, the predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, and the predominant cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15:0 (54.2%) followed by C16:0 (15.5%) and iso-C16:0 (8.2%). The polar lipid pattern of blls-2^T was characterized by the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. Phy-logenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain was affiliated within the Paenibacillaceae. The strain was most closely related to Paenibacillus granivorans A30^T, with a similarity of 97.1%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics of strain blls-2^T, the isolate is thought to represent a novel taxon in the genus Paenibacillus. The name Paenibacillus camelliae sp. nov. is proposed for the fermented tea isolate; the type strain is blls-2^T (= KCTC 13220^T= CECT 7361^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter halodurans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new halotolerant bacterium isolated from sea water

A novel Gram-positive, halotolerant, non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078085^T, was isolated from sea water collected from the South China Sea. Strain JSM 078085^T exhibited a rod-coccus growth cycle and produced a yellow pigment. The strain was able to grow in the presence of 0–12% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0–9.5 and 4–35°C; optimum growth was observed at pH 7.0 and 25–30°C in the absence of NaCl. The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained galactose and glucose. Strain JSM 078085^T contained menaquinone MK-9(H₂) as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0 and the DNA G + C content was 63.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078085^T should be assigned to the genus Arthrobacter, being most closely related to the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi (sequence similarity 97.1%), and the two strains formed a distinct lineage in the phylogenetic tree. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078085^T and the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi was 10.6%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078085^T represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter halodurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078085^T (=DSM 21081^T=KCTC 19430^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 078085^T is EU583729.     

Methanol utilizing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Desulfotomaculum</Emphasis> species utilizes hydrogen in a methanol-fed sulfate-reducing bioreactor

A sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain WW1, was isolated from a thermophilic bioreactor operated at 65°C with methanol as sole energy source in the presence of sulfate. Growth of strain WW1 on methanol or acetate was inhibited at a sulfide concentration of 200 mg l⁻¹, while on H₂/CO₂, no apparent inhibition occurred up to a concentration of 500 mg l⁻¹. When strain WW1 was co-cultured under the same conditions with the methanol-utilizing, non-sulfate-reducing bacteria, Thermotoga lettingae and Moorella mulderi, both originating from the same bioreactor, growth and sulfide formation were observed up to 430 mg l⁻¹. These results indicated that in the co-cultures, a major part of the electron flow was directed from methanol via H₂/CO₂ to the reduction of sulfate to sulfide. Besides methanol, acetate, and hydrogen, strain WW1 was also able to use formate, malate, fumarate, propionate, succinate, butyrate, ethanol, propanol, butanol, isobutanol, with concomitant reduction of sulfate to sulfide. In the absence of sulfate, strain WW1 grew only on pyruvate and lactate. On the basis of 16S rRNA analysis, strain WW1 was most closely related to Desulfotomaculum thermocisternum and Desulfotomaculum australicum. However, physiological properties of strain WW1 differed in some aspects from those of the two related bacteria.