Abstract
The taxonomic and metabolic characteristics of a new caldoactive bacterium, Thermobacteroides acetoethylicus, that is prevalent in volcanic features where organic matter is vigorously being decomposed is described. T. acetoethylicus is a nonsporing, obligately anaerobic rod that stains gram-negative and exists singly or in pairs. Electron micrographs revealed peritrichous flagellation and a distinctive outer wall envelope structure without an outer wall membrane layer. The temperature range for growth was >40°C and <80°C; the pH range was between 5.5 and 8.5. The DNA base composition was 31±1 mol% guanosine plus cytosine. Fermentable carbohydrates included glucose, mannose, cellobiose, lactose, maltose, sucrose and starch. Growth on glucose in complex medium was associated with a 30 min doubling time; and ethanol, acetate, H2/CO2, butyrate and isobutyrate accounted for a balanced fermentation. Lactic acid was not formed. Growth was inhibited by O2, 2% NaCl, penicillin, streptomycin, vankomycin and neomycin, but not by chloramphenicol or hydrogen (2 atm). Glucose was metabolized via the Embden-Meyerhoff Pathway. A molar growth yield of 18.3 g cell per mol glucose and an ATP yield of 8 g cell per mol ATP produced was obtained. These results support the absence of detectable cytochromes and suggest that energy conservation is via substrate level phosphorylation alone.
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Abbreviations
- DNA:
-
deoxyribonucleic acid
- ATP:
-
adenosine triphosphate
- LPBB:
-
low phosphate buffered basal
- TYEG:
-
tryptone yeast extract glucose
- O.D.:
-
optical density
- Y ATP :
-
molar ATP yield
- G+C:
-
guanosine plus cytosine
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Ben-Bassat, A., Zeikus, J.G. Thermobacteroides acetoethylicus gen. nov. and spec. nov., a new chemoorganotrophic, anaerobic, thermophilic bacterium. Arch Microbiol 128, 365–370 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00405914
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00405914