Open AccessIsolation and characterisation of a novel extremely thermophilic, anaerobic, chemo‐organotrophic eubacterium
Author(s) -
Huser B.A.,
Patel B.K.C.,
Daniel R.M.,
Morgan H.W.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1986.tb01779.x
Subject(s) - eubacterium , thermophile , xylose , biology , maltose , cell envelope , fermentation , biochemistry , bacteria , fructose , sucrose , enzyme , escherichia coli , genetics , gene
A new, extremely thermophilic, anaerobic, chemo‐organotrophic bacterium was isolated from intertidal habitats where seepage of geothermally heated water occurs. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern and the presence of muramic acid strongly suggest an eubacterial nature of the novel isolate. Growth was measured between pH 4.8–8.2 (optimal pH 7.0) and at temperatures up to 90°C with a doubling time of 50 min at optimal temperatures of 80–85°C. This is the highest optimal growth temperature for an eubacterium described so far. The Gram‐negative, non‐motile, non‐sporulating, short rod to coccal shaped cells were enclosed in a sphere‐like cell envelope protruding from either end. A wide range of carbohydrates, including xylose, glucose, fructose, maltose, starch, carboxymethylcellulose, and amylopectin were used in an obligately fermentative metabolism. Morphological, physiological and molecular properties (mol% G + C = 46) are distinct from other known extremely thermophilic eubacterial genera.