Ottowia shaoguanensis sp. nov., Isolated From Coking Wastewater

A Gram-negative, short rod-shaped, floc-forming bacterial strain J5-66^T without any flagellum was isolated from coking wastewater collected from Shaoguan, Guangdong, China. It was capable of optimal growth at pH 7, 30 °C, and 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this strain belonged to the genus Ottowia in Comamonadaceae, and the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was 96.2 % with Ottowia pentelensis DSM 21699^T. The major cellular fatty acids of strain J5-66^T were C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c (45.0 %), C_16:0 (21.1 %), C_18:1 ω7c or/and C_18:1 ω6c (19.2 %). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, glycolipid and two unidentified phospholipids (PL1 and PL2). The predominant ubiquinone was Q-8, and the G+C content of the genome DNA was 64.4 mol%. On the basis of genetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain J5-66^T represents a novel species of the genus Ottowia for which the name Ottowia shaoguanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J5-66^T (=CGMCC 1.12431^T =LMG 27408^T).     

Roseinatronobacter thiooxidans Gen. Nov., sp. Nov., a new alkaliphilic aerobic bacteriochlorophyll-alpha-containing bacteria from a soda lake

Several samples of microbial mat obtained from soda lakes of the Kunkurskaya steppe (Chita oblast) abundantly populated by purple bacteria were screened for the presence of heterotrophic alkaliphiles capable of oxidizing sulfur compounds to sulfate. This capacity was found in only one pigmented strain, ALG 1, isolated on medium with acetate and thiosulfate at pH 10. The strain was found to be a strictly aerobic and obligately heterotrophic alkaliphile. Growth on medium with acetate was possible within a narrow pH range from 8.5 to 10.4. The strain formed a reddish orange carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll a. Pigments were synthesized only at high concentrations of nitrogen-containing organic compounds (peptone or yeast extract). The production of bacteriochlorophyll a was maximal under microaerobic conditions in darkness. Strain ALG 1 could oxidize sulfide, thiosulfate, sulfite, and elemental sulfur to sulfate. In heterotrophically growing culture (pH 10), thiosulfate was not oxidized until the late logarithmic phase. The sulfur-oxidizing activity was maximal at the most alkaline pH values. The notable increase in the efficiency of organic carbon utilization observed in the presence of thiosulfate suggested that the bacterium was a sulfur-oxidizing lithoheterotroph. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed strain ALG 1 to be a member of the alpha-3 subgroup of proteobacteria and to constitute a distinct branch located between nonsulfur purple bacteria Rhodobacter and Rhodovulum. Based on the unique phenotypic properties and the results of phylogenetic analysis, the alkaliphilic isolate ALG 1 was assigned to a new genus and species Roseinatronobacter thiooxidans with the type strain DSZM-13087.     

Bacillus sediminis sp. nov., isolated from an electroactive biofilm

A Gram-stain positive, facultative anaerobic, motile, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium with peritrichous flagella, designated DX-5^T, was isolated from an electroactive biofilm. Growth was observed to occur at 35–60 °C, at pH 7.0–10.0 and with 0.5–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum growth: 50 °C, pH 8.0 and 0.5–3 % NaCl). Cells were determined to be catalase- and oxidase-positive. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7; the major polar lipids were determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid, aminoglycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid; the DNA G+C content was determined to be 46.6 mol%; and the major fatty acids (>5 %) were identified as anteiso-C_15:0 (33.6 %), iso-C_15:0 (24.1 %) and anteiso-C_17:0 (13.4 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that strain DX-5^T should be assigned to the genus Bacillus, and was related most closely to the type strains of B. fortis DSM 16012^T (96.3 %), B. composti KACC 16872^T (96.3 %) and B. fordii DSM 16014^T (95.8 %). Results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analysis indicated that strain DX-5^T represents a novel species, for which the name B. sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DX-5^T (=CGMCC 1.12412^T = KCTC 33102^T).     

Erythrobacter westpacificensis sp. nov., a Marine Bacterium Isolated From the Western Pacific

A novel Gram-negative, orange-pigmented bacterial strain JLT2008^T was isolated from the surface seawater of the Western Pacific and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JLT2008^T belonged to the genus Erythrobacter, sharing the highest similarity (96.6 %) with Erythrobacter gangjinensis K7-2^T and the lowest similarity (94.9 %) with Erythrobacter litoralis DSM 8509^T. Strain JLT2008^T did not contain bacteriochlorophyll a, and the predominant respiratory lipoquinone was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c. The prominent polar lipids were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic G + C content was 60.1 mol %. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, a novel species within the genus Erythrobacter, and with the name Erythrobacter westpacificensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is JLT2008^T (=CGMCC 1.10993^T = JCM 18014^T).     

Adelphamoeba galeacystis n. g., n. sp., an Amoeboflagellate Isolated from Soil*

SYNOPSIS. An amoeboflagellate isolated from common soil is described. The amoeboid stage is typically limax and contains a well differentiated uroid region. The flagellate has 2 flagella, which emerge anteriorly and are equal in length. It has a ventral cytostome near the anterior border. The cyst is helmet-shaped and without opercula. Polar masses are present during nuclear division.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chitinolyticbacter meiyuanensis</Emphasis> SYBC-H1<Superscript>T</Superscript>, Gen. Nov., sp. Nov., a Chitin-Degrading Bacterium Isolated From Soil

A novel aerobic mesophilic bacterial strain SYBC-H1^T capable of degrading chitin was isolated and classified in this study. The strain exhibited strong chitinolytic activity and was a Gram-negative, curved, rod-shaped, and motile bacterium. Growth of this strain was observed between 10 and 41°C and between pH 3.5 and 9.5. The DNA G + C content of strain SYBC-H1^T was 53.25 mol%. The cellular fatty acids (>5%) were 12:0 iso 3-OH (5.87%), 16:0 (28.16%), and 18:1ω7c (20.48%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed that strain SYBC-H1^T belonged to the family Neisseriaceae, and was distantly related (95.0% similarity) to the genus Chitiniphilus. Its phenotype was unique and genetic and phylogenetic analysis experiments suggested that strain SYBC-H1^T represented the type strain (CGMCC 3438^T, ATCC BAA-2140^T) of a novel genus, for which the name Chitinolyticbacter meiyuanensis SYBC-H1^T gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed. The highest enzymatic activity of chitinase (9.6 U/ml) was obtained at 72 h in 250 ml shake flasks. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of SYBC-H1^T has been deposited in GenBank under the accession number GQ981314.     

Nitratireductor shengliensis sp. nov., Isolated from an Oil-Polluted Saline Soil

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterial isolates, designated 110399^T and 110248, were isolated from an oil-polluted saline soil in Shengli Oilfield, Eastern China. The two strains shared 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the DNA–DNA relatedness value being 80.0 %. They were both capable to grow at 20–40 °C, pH 7–9, and 1–9 % (w/v) NaCl with the optimum growth happened at 30 °C, pH 8, and 2–6 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the two strains were members of Nitratireductor and most closely related to Nitratireductor pacificus pht-3B^T and N. basaltis J3^T with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities being 97.1 and 97.0 %. The DNA–DNA relatedness between the novel strains and two type strains were below 27 ± 7 %. The strains 110399^T and 110248 also differed from N. pacificus and N. basaltis in nitrate reduction, salt tolerance, enzyme activities, and utilization of carbon sources. The major cellular fatty acids of strain 110399^T were C_19:0ω8c cyclo (10.5 %) and Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c, 41.5 %) which are typical in the genus Nitratireductor. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10. The genome DNA G+C content of strain 110399^T and 110248 was 61.1 and 61.7 mol%. On the basis of genetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, strains 110399^T and 110248 represent a novel species within the genus Nitratireductor, for which the name Nitratireductor shengliensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 110399^T (=CGMCC 1.12519^T = LMG 27405^T).     

Bacillus thiaminolyticus sp. nov., nom. rev

The name "Bacillus thiaminolyticus" Kuno 1951 was not included on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names and has lost standing in bacteriological nomenclature. The genetic homogeneity of "Bacillus thiaminolyticus" was assessed by determining guanine-plus-cytosine contents by the buoyant density method and by measuring DNA relatedness by using spectrophotometric reassociation procedures. Of the 26 strains which I studied, 24 had guanine-plus-cytosine contents in the range from 52 to 54 mol%. The consistently high DNA relatedness values of 60 to 100% of these 24 strains to the type strain indicated that the "B. thiaminolyticus" group is genetically homogeneous. Low DNA relatedness values of 20 to 31% showed that "B. thiaminolyticus" is genetically unrelated to Bacillus alvei, "Bacillus aneurinolyticus," "Bacillus apiarius," Bacillus larvae, Bacillus laterosporus, Bacillus macerans, and Bacillus stearothermophilus. In general, the "B. thiaminolyticus" group was highly homogeneous for 49 phenotypic characteristics and clearly distinguishable from B. alvei, with which it was allegedly synonymous. On the basis of these findings, revival of the name Bacillus thiaminolyticus is proposed.     

Metascardovia criceti Gen. Nov., Sp. Nov., from hamster dental plaque

A novel microorganism, Metascardovia criceti gen. nov., sp. nov., was isolated from dental plaque of golden hamsters fed with a high-carbohydrate diet. The three isolated strains, OMB104, OMB105, and OMB107, were Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic rods that lacked catalase activity. Analyses of the partial 16S rRNA and heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60) gene sequences of these isolates indicated that they belonged to the family Bifidobacteriaceae. However, in contrast to Bifidobacterium, one of the genera under this family, these isolates grew under aerobic conditions, and the DNA G + C contents were lower (53 mol%) than those of Bifidobacterium. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses using phenotypic characterization, and partial 16S rRNA and HSP60 gene sequences data, we propose a novel taxa, Metascardovia criceti for OMB105(T) (type strain=JCM 13493(T)=DSM 17774(T)) for this newly described isolate.     

Two novel alkaliphiles,Bacillus alkalisoli sp. nov., and Bacillus solitudinis sp. nov., isolated from saline-alkali soil

Extremophiles - Two alkaliphilic strains, designated FJAT-45086T and FJAT-45122T, were isolated from alkali soli in Nima County, Tibet, China. Both strains were Gram-positive, rod-shaped and shared...     

Niabella thaonhiensis sp. nov., Isolated From the Forest Soil of Kyonggi University in Korea

Strain NHI-24^T was isolated from forest soil by a polycarbonate membrane transwell plate. It is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data indicated that strain NHI-24^T is closely related to members of the genus Niabella: N. drilacis E90^T (97.7 %), N. tibetensis 15-4^T (96.7 %), N. aurantiaca R2A15-11^T (96.5 %), N. hirudinis E96^T (95.8 %), N. soli JS13-8^T (94.7 %), N. ginsengisoli NBRC106414^T (94.4 %), and N. yanshanensis CCBAU 05354^T (94.2 %). Growth temperatures range widely, from 15 to 37 °C, with 30 °C as the optimum. Salt tolerance ranges from 0 to 2 %. The strain grows at pH 6.5–11.0, with an optimal range of pH 7.0–9.5. Cells produce flexirubin-type pigments, and the predominant menaquinone is MK-7. The major fatty acids of strain NHI-24^T are iso-C_15:0 (36.72 %), iso-C_15:1 G (20.8 %), and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c; 15.2 %). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain NHI-24^T and members of the genus Niabella range from 37 to 53 %. Based on these results, it is proposed that strain NHI-24^T represents a novel species of the genus Niabella with the name Niabella thaonhiensis (= KACC 17215^T = KEMB 9005-018^T = JCM 18864^T).     

Destruction of a Bacterial Biofilm with an Electrochemically Activated Solution

Biophysics - The action of electrochemically activated water on the fine structure of biofilms formed by the plankton forms of lactic acid bacteria and E. coli was investigated. Bacterial biofilms...     

Leclercia adecarboxylata Gen. Nov., Comb. Nov., formerly known asEscherichia adecarboxylata.

The nameLeclercia adecarboxylata is proposed for a group of the family Enterobacteriacae previously known asEscherichia adecarboxylata. Leclercia adecarboxylata can be phenotypically differentiated from all other species of Enterobacteriaceae. The members of this species are positive for motility, indole production, methyl red, growth in the presence of KCN, malonate, beta-galactosidase, beta-xylosidase, esculin hydrolysis, gas production fromd-glucose, and acid production fromd-cellobiose,d-lactose, melibiose,l-rhamnose, adonitol,d-arabitol, dulcitol, and salicin; the strains were negative for Voges-Proskauer, citrate (Simmons), H₂S (Kligler), lysine and ornithine decarboxylases, arginine dihydrolase, phenylalanine deaminase, gelatinase, DNase, Tween-80 hydrolysis, and acid production from myoinositol and alpha-methyl-d-glucoside. Fermentation ofd-raffinose,d-sucrose, andd-sorbitol is variable with strains. DNA relatedness of 11 strains ofL. adecarboxylata to three strains including the type strain of this species averaged 80% in reactions at 65°C. DNA relatedness to other species in Enterobacteriaceae was 2%–32%, indicating that this species was placed in a new genusLeclercia gen. nov. The type strain ofL. adecarboxylata is ATCC 23216.     

Methanosarcina acetivorans sp. nov., an Acetotrophic Methane-Producing Bacterium Isolated from Marine Sediments

A new acetotrophic marine methane-producing bacterium that was isolated from the methane-evolving sediments of a marine canyon is described. Exponential phase cultures grown with sodium acetate contained irregularly shaped cocci that aggregated in the early stationary phase and finally differentiated into communal cysts that released individual cocci when ruptured or transferred to fresh medium. The irregularly shaped cocci (1.9 ± 0.2 mm in diameter) were gram negative and occurred singly or in pairs. Cells were nonmotile, but possessed a single fimbria-like structure. Micrographs of thin sections showed a monolayered cell wall approximately 10 nm thick that consisted of protein subunits. The cells in aggregates were separated by visible septation. The communal cysts contained several single cocci encased in a common envelope. An amorphous form of the communal cyst that had incomplete septation and internal membrane-like vesicles was also present in late exponential phase cultures. Sodium acetate, methanol, methylamine, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine were substrates for growth and methanogenesis; H₂-CO₂ (80:20) and sodium formate were not. The optimal growth temperature was 35 to 40°C. The optimal pH range was 6.5 to 7.0. Both NaCl and Mg²⁺ were required for growth, with maximum growth rates at 0.2 M NaCl and 0.05 M MgSO₄. The DNA base composition was 41 ± 1% guanine plus cytosine. Methanosarcina acetivorans is the proposed species. C2A is the type strain (DSM 2834, ATCC 35395).