Emended description of the genus Rhodothalassium Imhoff et al., 1998 and proposal of Rhodothalassiaceae fam. nov. and Rhodothalassiales ord. nov

Five strains (JA325, JA389, JA473, JA563 and JA582) of Gram stain-negative, vibrioid to spiral shaped, phototrophic purple bacteria were isolated from solar salterns of India. All strains contained bacteriochlorophyll-a and carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series as photosynthetic pigments. C_18:1ω7c, C_18:1ω7c 11-methyl and C_16:0 were the major fatty acids of all strains. Diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), ornithine lipid (OL), an unidentified phospholipid (PL), and an unidentified aminolipid (AL) were the major polar lipids of all the strains. According to 16S rRNA gene sequences, all strains clustered phylogenetically with the only species of the genus Rhodothalassium (99.8–99.3% sequence similarity) but only strains JA325 and JA563 were distinctly related (60 + 1.5% DNA–DNA hybridization [DDH]) to the type strain Rhodothalassium salexigens DSM 2132^T. However, the genotypic data of strains JA325 and JA563 was not supported because of a large number of phenotypic differences compared to the type strain, therefore, it is proposed that all five newly isolated strains were R. salexigens-like strains. In addition, phylogenetically, the Rhodothalassium clade represented a distinct lineage and formed a deep branch with less than 90% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to other orders of the Alphaproteobacteria, and characteristic phenotypic properties also distinguished these bacteria from other purple non-sulfur bacteria. Therefore, the novel family Rhodothalassiaceae fam. nov. and the novel order Rhodothalassiales ord. nov. are proposed for the distinct phyletic line represented by the genus Rhodothalassium.     

Pseudomonas aestusnigri sp. nov., isolated from crude oil-contaminated intertidal sand samples after the Prestige oil spill

Strains VGXO14^T and Vi1 were isolated from the Atlantic intertidal shore from Galicia, Spain, after the Prestige oil spill. Both strains were Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria with one polar inserted flagellum, strictly aerobic, and able to grow at 18–37 °C, pH 6–10 and 2–10% NaCl. A preliminary analysis of the 16S rRNA and the partial rpoD gene sequences indicated that these strains belonged to the Pseudomonas genus but were distinct from any known Pseudomonas species. A polyphasic taxonomic approach including phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genotypic data confirmed that the strains belonged to the Pseudomonas pertucinogena group. In a multilocus sequence analysis, the similarity of VGXO14^T and Vi1 to the closest type strain of the group, Pseudomonas pachastrellae, was 90.4%, which was lower than the threshold of 97% established to discriminate species in the Pseudomonas genus. The DNA–DNA hybridisation similarity between strains VGXO14^T and Vi1 was 79.6%, but below 70% with the type strains in the P. pertucinogena group. Therefore, the strains should be classified within the genus Pseudomonas as a novel species, for which the name Pseudomonas aestusnigri is proposed. The type strain is VGXO14^T (=CCUG 64165^T = CECT 8317^T).     

Nodulation in black locust by the Gammaproteobacteria Pseudomonas sp. and the Betaproteobacteria Burkholderia sp.

Nodulation abilities of bacteria in the subclasses Gammaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) were tested. Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp., Klebsiella sp., and Paenibacillus sp. were isolated from surface-sterilized black locust nodules, but their nodulation ability is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine if these bacteria are symbiotic. The species and genera of the strains were determined by RFLP analysis and DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Inoculation tests and histological studies revealed that Pseudomonas sp. and Burkholderia sp. formed nodules on black locust and also developed differentiated nodule tissue. Furthermore, a phylogenetic analysis of nodA and a BLASTN analysis of the nodC, nifH, and nifHD genes revealed that these symbiotic genes of Pseudomonas sp. and Burkholderia sp. have high similarities with those of rhizobial species, indicating that the strains acquired the symbiotic genes from rhizobial species in the soil. Therefore, in an actual rhizosphere, bacterial diversity of nodulating legumes may be broader than expected in the Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria subclasses. The results indicate the importance of horizontal gene transfer for establishing symbiotic interactions in the rhizosphere.     

Pseudocitrobacter gen. nov., a novel genus of the Enterobacteriaceae with two new species Pseudocitrobacter faecalis sp. nov., and Pseudocitrobacter anthropi sp. nov,isolated from fecal samples from hospitalized patients in Pakistan

Four isolates of Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacteria, three of them producing NDM-1 carbapenemase, were isolated from hospitalized patients and outpatients attending two military hospitals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and studied for their taxonomic position. Initially the strains were phenotypically identified as Citrobacter species. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences then showed that the four strains shared >97%, but in no case >98.3%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to members of the genera Citrobacter, Kluyvera, Pantoea, Enterobacter and Raoultella, but always formed a separate cluster in respective phylogenetic trees. Based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) including partial recN, rpoA, thdF and rpoB gene sequence and respective amino acid sequence analysis it turned out that the strains also here always formed separate clusters. Based on further comparative analyses including DNA–DNA hybridizations, genomic fingerprint analysis using rep- and RAPD-PCRs and physiological tests, it is proposed to classify these four strains into the novel genus Pseudocitrobacter gen. nov. with a new species Pseudocitrobacter faecalis sp. nov. with strain 25 CIT^T (= CCM 8479^T = LMG 27751^T) and Pseudocitrobacter anthropi sp. nov. with strain C138^T (= CCM 8478^T = LMG 27750^T), as the type strains, respectively.     

Vibrio gallaecicus sp. nov. isolated from cultured clams in north-western Spain

A group of three motile facultative anaerobic marine bacteria were isolated from cultured Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) in Galicia, north-western Spain. The strains were characterized phenotypically and genotypically. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and four housekeeping genes, RNA polymerase α-chain (rpoA), RecA protein (recA), the α-subunit of bacterial ATP synthase (atpA) and the uridine monophosphate (UMP) kinase (pyrH), indicated that these strains were closely related to the Vibrio splendidus clade. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints, DNA–DNA hybridizations and phylogenies of the housekeeping and 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the three strains represented a different species from all currently described vibrios. The new species could be differentiated from its nearest neighbours on the basis of several phenotypic features. The three strains are therefore a novel species within the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio gallaecicus is proposed, with the type strain being VB 8.9^T(=CECT 7244^T=LMG 24045^T).     

Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 contains nahH gene encoding catechol 2,3-dioxygenase for phenanthrene degradation and a test in soil microcosm

We isolated three species of phenanthrene-degrading bacteria from oil-contaminated soils and marine sediment, and assessed the potential use of these bacteria for bioremediation of soils contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Based on 16S rDNA sequences, these bacteria were Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 and Pseudomonas sp. CH-11 from soil, and Ochrobactrum sp. CH-19 from the marine sediment. By PCR amplification, catechol 2,3-dioxygenase genes (nahH genes) mediating PAH degradation in the chromosome of Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 and Ochrobactrum sp. CH-19, and in plasmid DNA of Pseudomonas sp. CH-11 were detected. All isolates had a similar optimal growth temperature (25 °C) and optimal growth pH (7.0) in a minimal salt medium (MSM) with 0.1% (w/v) phenanthrene as the sole source of carbon and energy. Pseudomonas sp. CH-11 and Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 degraded 90% of added phenanthrene in 3 days and Ochrobactrum sp. CH-19 degraded 90% of the phenanthrene in 7 days under laboratory batch culture conditions. However, Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 was the most effective among the three strains in degradation of phenanthrene in soil. After inoculation of 1 × 10¹¹ cells of Staphylococcus sp. KW-07, over 90% degradation of 0.1% phenanthrene (0.1 g/100 g soil) was achieved after 1 month at 25 °C. The results collectively suggest that the Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 strain isolated may be useful in bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soils.     

Formation of Glycerol Dehydrogenase by Microorganisms

The distribution of glycerol dehydrogenase activity was studied with cell-free extracts of bacteria, yeasts, molds and actinomycetes. High activity was found in 4 strains of bacteria and in 3 strains of molds. The enzymes of bacteria were dependent on NAD⁺ and those of molds were dependent on NADP⁺. An isolated gram-positive bacterium, which showed the high activity, was identified as Cellulomonas sp. NT3060. The total and specific activities were associated with growth of this strain and reached the maximum at the early stationary phase. Significant high level activity was detected in cell-free extracts from glycerol and glucose media.     

The abundance and biological activity of manganese-oxidizing bacteria and Metallogenium-like morphotypes in Lake Washington, USA

The distribution of bacteria, ATP, Metallogenium morphotypes and manganese-oxidizing activities were studied in Lake Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A. In accordance with earlier studies, we have found that Metallogenium morphotypes show a stable seasonal distribution in Lake Washington. We have used ⁵⁴Mn(II) tracer studies coupled with poisoned and no-oxygen controls to demonstrate that biological manganese oxidation was not linked to the numbers of Metallogenium morphotypes. The data suggest that these morphotypes do not contribute significantly to the biological oxidation of manganese in Lake Washington.     

The role of epibotic bacteria from the surface of the soft coral Dendronephthya sp. in the inhibition of larval settlement

It has been suggested that bacteria associated with soft-bodied organisms are suggested to produce bioactive compounds against the attachment of invertebrate larvae and bacteria onto the surface of these organisms. Our recent study has demonstrated that epibiotic bacteria from the surface of the soft coral Dendronephthya sp. (Coelenterata: Octocoralia, Alcyonacea) inhibit the growth of bacteria commonly found in marine natural biofilms. In the present study, the effect of 11 epibiotic bacteria isolated from the surface of Dendronephthya sp. on larval settlement of the tubeworms Hydroides elegans was examined using laboratory bioassay. Among 11 bacterial isolates, 2 strains (18%) inhibited the larval settlement of H. elegans (Haswell), 4 strains (36%) were “inductive” to larvae and the remaining 5 strains (46%) were “non-inductive”. There was no correlation between the antifouling activities of bacterial isolates and their phylogenetic origin, i.e. closely related bacterial strains showed different effects on larval settlement of H. elegans. When all “inductive”, “non-inductive” and “inhibitive” bacterial isolates were mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio, the effect of the resultant multispecies film on larval settlement became “inhibitive”. Waterborne compounds of Vibrio sp. and an unidentified α-Proteobacterium, which suppressed the settlement of H. elegans and Bugula neritina (L.) larvae, were further investigated using size fractionation and bioassay-guided enzymatic analysis. It was found that antilarval settlement compounds from these bacteria were heat-stable polysaccharides with a molecular weight >100 kDa. The results indicate that the bacteria associated with the soft coral Dendronephthya sp. may contribute to the antifouling mechanisms of the soft-bodied organisms by producing compounds that are against bacterial growth and settlement of macrofoulers on the surface of their host.     

Genetic Variation of Strawberry Fusarium Wilt Pathogen Population in Korea

Strawberries are a popular economic crop, and one of the major plantations and exporting countries is Korea in the world. The Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC) is a soil-borne pathogen with genetic diversity, resulting in wilt disease in various crops. In Korea, strawberries wilt disease was first reported in the 1980s due to the infection of FOSC, causing significant economic damage every year. The causal agent, F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, is a soil-borne pathogen with a characteristic of FOSC that is difficult to control chemically and mutates easily. This study obtained genetic polymorphism information that was based on AFLP, of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae 91 strains, which were isolated from strawberry cultivation sites in Gyeongsangnam-do and Chungcheongnam-do, and compared strains information, which was the isolated location, host variety, response to chemical fungicide, and antagonistic bacteria, and mycelium phenotype. As a result, AFLP phylogeny found that two groups were mainly present, and group B was present at a high frequency in Gyeongsangnam-do. Group B proved less sensitive to tebuconazole than group A through Student’s t-test. In addition, the fractions pattern of AFLP was calculated by comparing the strain information using PCA and PERMANOVA, and the main criteria were separated localization and strawberry varieties (PERMANOVA; p < 0.05). And tebuconazole was different with weak confidence (PERMANOVA; p < 0.10). This study suggests that the F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae should be continuously monitored and managed, including group B, which is less chemically effective.     

Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans sp. nov., an anaerobic, syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacterium isolated from two ammonium-enriched mesophilic methanogenic processes

Four anaerobic syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacteria, the thermotolerant strains Re1^T, Re2, T1 and T2, were isolated from two different mesophilic methanogenic systems. The strains originate from sludge of a continuously stirred laboratory-scale reactor containing high levels of ammonium and from a high ammonium enrichment culture. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed that the strains belong to the Firmicutes-Clostridia class. The most closely related species to strains Re1^T, Re2, T1 and T2 was Tepidanaerobacter syntrophicus, with a 16S rRNA gene sequence identity of 96%. The DNA-DNA relatedness of strains Re2, T1 and T2 to strain Re1^T was 92, 102, 81%, respectively. The gene encoding the acetogen key enzyme formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) was detected and partly sequenced from the strains. In pure culture the bacteria used different organic compounds as carbon and energy source, such as organic acids, alcohols, sugars and amino acids. Furthermore, acetate-oxidizing ability was observed during co-cultivation with a hydrogen-consuming Methanoculleus sp. The bacteria were found to be spore-forming, rod-shaped and motile, and possessed Gram-positive cell walls. The four strains were thermotolerant and grew at temperatures between 25 and 55 °C. Strain Re1^T had a DNA G + C content of 38.4% and the major fatty acids were C_18:1 w7c, C_18:1 w9c, anteiso-C_17:0, C_16:1 w7c and C_18:0. The genetic and phenotypic properties of strains Re1^T, Re2, T1 and T2 suggest classification as representatives of a novel species of the genus Tepidanaerobacter; the name Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain of T. acetatoxydans is Re1^T (=DSM 21804^T = JCM 16047^T).     

Aureobacterium resistens sp. nov., exhibiting vancomycin resistance and teicoplanin susceptibility

Two similar strains of a coryneform bacterium were isolated from human clinical material. Both strains were resistant to vancomycin but susceptible to teicoplanin. Detailed biochemical, chemotaxonomical, and molecular genetic investigations revealed that both isolates were members of a hitherto undescribed species of the genus Aureobacterium. The name Aureobacterium resistens sp. nov. is proposed for the new bacterium and the type strain is CCUG 38312.     

Novel mutations of Escherichia coli that produce recombinogenic lesions in DNA. I. Identification and mapping of arl mutations

Hyper-rec mutants of Escherichia coli were originally identified as lac-diploid strains whose colonies exhibited unusually high numbers of Lac⁺ papillae during growth on indicator plates (Konrad, 1977). For this work, 38 hyper-rec strains with particularly high frequencies of papillation were selected and screened further, in order to identify those unusually proficient in recombination of bacteriophage λ. The screening procedure, plate-stock growth of λ duplication phages, yielded four strains that exhibited both enhanced recombination of λ and normal (or higher) yields of progeny phage. The mutants displayed the same novel phenotype: phage recombination was normal during the first lytic infection, but was stimulated four- to sixfold if the phages had previously been propagated for several cycles in the mutants. Phages thus appeared to accumulate an enhanced potential for recombination during growth in these four strains. The mutations responsible were designated arl. Enhanced recombination of the phages propagated on arl strains occurred in subsequent test infections of both arl and arl⁺ bacteria, but not in recA cells. Both the high frequency of Lac⁺ papillae and the effects on λ recombination appeared to result from the same mutations. The former phenotype was used for genetic analysis of two arl mutants; their location is near 2 minutes on the E. coli map. Known alleles of two nearby genes, polB and mutT, do not confer a hyper-rec phenotype (by the lac-diploid assay). High-level RecA-constitutive strains do not exhibit enhanced recombination of duplication phages.     

Rhodobacteraceae on the marine brown alga Fucus spiralis are abundant and show physiological adaptation to an epiphytic lifestyle

Macroalgae harbour specific microbial communities on their surface that have functions related to host health and defence. In this study, the bacterial biofilm of the marine brown alga Fucus spiralis was investigated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon-based analysis and isolation of bacteria. Rhodobacteraceae (Alphaproteobacteria) were the predominant family constituting 23% of the epibacterial community. At the genus level, Sulfitobacter, Loktanella, Octadecabacter and a previously undescribed cluster were most abundant, and together they comprised 89% of the Rhodobacteraceae. Supported by a specific PCR approach, 23 different Rhodobacteraceae-affiliated strains were isolated from the surface of F. spiralis, which belonged to 12 established and three new genera. For seven strains, closely related sequences were detected in the 16S rRNA gene dataset. Growth experiments with substrates known to be produced by Fucus spp. showed that all of them were consumed by at least three strains, and vitamin B₁₂ was produced by 70% of the isolates. Since growth of F. spiralis depends on B₁₂ supplementation, bacteria may provide the alga with this vitamin. Most strains produced siderophores, which can enhance algal growth under iron-deficient conditions. Inhibiting properties against other bacteria were only observed when F. spiralis material was present in the medium. Thus, the physiological properties of the isolates indicated adaption to an epiphytic lifestyle.     

Specific and Functional Diversity of Endophytic Bacteria from Pine Wood Nematode Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus with Different Virulence

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is one of the most devastating diseases of Pinus spp. The PWN was therefore listed as one of the most dangerous forest pests in China meriting quarantine. Virulence of the PWN is closely linked with the spread of PWD. However, main factors responsible for the virulence of PWNs are still unclear. Recently epiphytic bacteria carried by PWNs have drawn much attention. But little is known about the relationship between endophytic bacteria and virulence of B. xylophilus. In this research, virulence of ten strains of B. xylophilus from different geographical areas in six provinces of China and four pine species were tested with 2-year-old seedlings of Pinus thunbergii. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from PWNs with different virulence to investigate the relationship between the bacteria and PWN virulence. Meanwhile, the carbon metabolism of endophytic bacteria from highly and low virulent B. xylophilus was analyzed using Biolog plates (ECO). The results indicated that ten strains of PWNs showed a wide range of virulence. Simultaneously, endophytic bacteria were isolated from 90% of the B. xylophilus strains. The dominant endophytic bacteria in the nematodes were identified as species of Stenotrophomonas, Achromobacter, Ewingella, Leifsonia, Rhizobium, and Pseudomonas using molecular and biochemical methods. Moreover, S. maltophilia, and A. xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans were the predominant strains. Most of the strains (80%) from P. massoniana contained either S. maltophilia, A. xylosoxidans, or both species. There was a difference between the abilities of the endophytic bacteria to utilize carbon sources. Endophytic bacteria from highly virulent B. xylophilus had a relatively high utilization rate of carbohydrate and carboxylic acids, while bacteria from low virulent B. xylophilus made better use of amino acids. In conclusion, endophytic bacteria widely exist in B. xylophilus from different pines and areas; and B. xylophilus strains with different virulence possessed various endophytic bacteria and diverse carbon metabolism which suggested that the endophytic bacteria species and carbon metabolism might be related with the B. xylophilus virulence.     

Biosorption of Copper (II) by the Microorganisms Isolated from the Crude-Oil-Contaminated Soil

The objective of this study was to isolate and screen the highly efficient copper-removing microorganisms from the petroleum hydrocarbon (PH)-contaminated sites in the Amazonian rain forest in Ecuador. Two bacterial strains (strain UEAB3 and UEAB6) have shown 100% microbial resistance on the nutrient medium containing 100 mM of MgCl₂, FeCl₃, and Al₂(SO₄)₃ separately. Though these two strains were less tolerant of ZnCl₂ and CuSO₄.5H₂O, they have proven 100% resistance at the lower concentrations of these two metals. According to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) analysis, the filamentous fungi (strains UEAFr and UEAFg) were significantly (p<0.05) effective at bacteria in the biosorption (97–100%) of copper (5 mg L^?1) over 7 d. As per 16/18S rDNA sequences, UEAB3, UEAB6, UEAFr, and UEAFg were Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus cereus, Geomyces pannorum, and Geomyces sp., respectively. From these results, it can be comprehensively concluded that the isolated microbial cultures had a capacity to remove the copper metal from the liquid medium.     

High Frequency of Histamine-Producing Bacteria in the Enological Environment and Instability of the Histidine Decarboxylase Production Phenotype

Lactic acid bacteria contribute to wine transformation during malolactic fermentation. They generally improve the sensorial properties of wine, but some strains produce histamine, a toxic substance that causes health issues. Histamine-producing strains belong to species of the genera Oenococcus, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus. All carry an hdcA gene coding for a histidine decarboxylase that converts histidine into histamine. For this study, a method based on quantitative PCR and targeting hdcA was developed to enumerate these bacteria in wine. This method was efficient for determining populations of 1 to 10⁷ CFU per ml. An analysis of 264 samples collected from 116 wineries of the same region during malolactic fermentation revealed that these bacteria were present in almost all wines and at important levels, exceeding 10³ CFU per ml in 70% of the samples. Histamine occurred at an often important level in wines containing populations of the above-mentioned bacteria. Fifty-four colonies of histamine producers isolated from four wines were characterized at the genetic level. All were strains of Oenococcus oeni that grouped into eight strain types by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Some strains were isolated from wines collected in distant wineries. Moreover, hdcA was detected on a large and possibly unstable plasmid in these strains of O. oeni. Taken together, the results suggest that the risk of histamine production exists in almost all wines and is important when the population of histamine-producing bacteria exceeds 10³ per ml. Strains of O. oeni producing histamine are frequent in wine during malolactic fermentation, but they may lose this capacity during subcultures in the laboratory.     

Identification of Campylobacter species by southern hybridization of genomic DNA using an oligonucleotide probe for 16S rRNA genes

Nine strains of four species of Campylobacter (C. jejuni, C. fetus, C. coli, C. laridis) were studied by genomic Southern hybridization. Restriction digests of chromosomal DNA prepared by treatment with either Eco RV or Rsa I were probed with an oligonucleotide specific for Campylobacter 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Six distinct hybridization patterns were obtained, each indicating the presence of 2–4 copies of the 16S rRNA gene are encoded in Campylobacter DNA. Differences in the hybridization patterns were observed not only between members of two species, but also between individual strains of the same species. Of the four C. jejuni strains tested, two different hybridization patterns were evident. Similar results were observed with different strains of C. coli and C. laridis. The relative simplicity of the patterns obtained, combined with the apparent diversity among individual strains, suggests that DNA-fingerprinting with the 16S rRNA gene probe could be a potentially useful identification method in epidemiological studies of Campylobacter infection.     

Characterization and Determination of Origin of Lactic Acid Bacteria from a Sorghum-Based Fermented Weaning Food by Analysis of Soluble Proteins and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Fingerprinting

The group that includes the lactic acid bacteria is one of the most diverse groups of bacteria known, and these organisms have been characterized extensively by using different techniques. In this study, 180 lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from sorghum powder (44 strains) and from corresponding fermented (93 strains) and cooked fermented (43 strains) porridge samples that were prepared in 15 households were characterized by using biochemical and physiological methods, as well as by analyzing the electrophoretic profiles of total soluble proteins. A total of 58 of the 180 strains were Lactobacillus plantarum strains, 47 were Leuconostoc mesenteroides strains, 25 were Lactobacillus sake-Lactobacillus curvatus strains, 17 were Pediococcus pentosaceus strains, 13 were Pediococcus acidilactici strains, and 7 were Lactococcus lactis strains. L. plantarum and L. mesenteroides strains were the dominant strains during the fermentation process and were recovered from 87 and 73% of the households, respectively. The potential origins of these groups of lactic acid bacteria were assessed by amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprint analysis.     

The new alkaliphilic bacteriochlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>-containing bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roseinatronobacter monicus</Emphasis> sp. nov. from the hypersaline Soda Mono Lake (California,United States)

Two strains of pink-colored aerobic bacteriochlorophyll a-containing bacteria were isolated from aerobic (strain ROS 10) and anaerobic (strain ROS 35) zones of the water column of Mono Lake (California, United States). Cells of the bacteria were nonmotile oval gram-negative rods multiplying by binary fission by means of a constriction. No intracellular membranes were detected. Polyphosphates and poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid were the storage compounds. Pigments were represented by bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series. The strains were obligately aerobic, mesophilic (temperature optimum of 25–30°C), alkaliphilic (pH optimum of 8.5–9.5), and moderately halophilic (optimal NaCl concentration of 40 g/l). They were obligately heterotrophic and grew aerobically in the dark and in the light. Respiration was inhibited by light at wavelengths corresponding to the absorption of the cellular pigments. The substrate utilization spectra were strain-specific. In the course of organotrophic growth, the bacteria could oxidize thiosulfate to sulfate; sulfide and polysulfide could also be oxidized. The DNA G+C content was 59.4 mol % in strain ROS 10 and 59 mol % in strain ROS 35. In their phenotypic properties, the new strains were close but not identical to the alkaliphilic bacterium Roseinatronobacter thiooxidans. The distinctions in the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes (2%) and low DNA-DNA hybridization level with Rna. thiooxidans (22–25%) allow the new strains to be assigned to a new species of the genus Roseinatronobacter, Roseinatronobacter monicus sp. nov. with the type strain ROS 35^T (=UNIQEM U-251^T = VKM B-2404^T).