Method for antibiotic assay on Sulfolobales

Nesterenkonia aurantiaca sp. nov., an alkaliphilic actinobacterium isolated from Antarctica

A Gram-stain-positive, non-endospore-forming, haloalkaliphilic actinobacterium, strain CK5^T, was isolated from a soil sample, collected at Cape King (Antarctica), and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Cells were cocci with orange pigmentation, non-motile and grew optimally at 25 °C and pH 9.0-9.5 in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Cellular membrane contained MK-7 (72 %) and MK-8 (28 %), and anteiso-C_15 : 0 (64.8 %), iso-C_16 : 0 (13.3 %), n-C_17 : 0 (9.9 %), n-C_16 : 0 (4.0 %), n-C_14 : 0 (3.7 %) as major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 64.8 mol%. Strain CK5^T, based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, was most closely related to Nesterenkonia jeotgali JG-241^T (99.5 %), Nesterenkonia sandarakina YIM 70009^T (99.4 %), Nesterenkonia lutea YIM 70081^T (99.4 %), Nesterenkonia halotolerans YIM 70084^T (99.3 %), Nesterenkonia xinjiangensis YIM 70097^T (97.2 %), Nesterenkonia flava CAAS 251^T (97.1 %) and Nesterekonia aethiopica CCUG 48939^T (97.1 %). Strain CK5^T revealed 31 % DNA-DNA relatedness with respect to N. sandarakina DSM 15664^T, 29 % with respect to N. jeotgali DSM 19081^T, 10 % with respect to N. lutea DSM 15666^T and 1 % with respect to N. halotolerans, DSM 15474^T, N. xinjiangensis DSM 15475^T, N. aethiopica DSM 17733^T and N. flava DSM 19422^T. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA-DNA hybridization and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain CK5^T represents a novel species of the genus Nesterenkonia, for which the name Nesterenkonia aurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CK5^T ( = DSM 27373^T = JCM 19723^T).

Bacillus daliensis sp. nov., an alkaliphilic, Gram-positive bacterium isolated from a soda lake

A Gram-positive, alkaliphilic bacterium, designated strain DLS13T, was isolated from Dali Lake in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The isolate was able to grow at pH 7.5-11.0 (optimum at pH 9), in 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 2 %, w/v) and at 10-45 °C (optimum at 30 °C). Cells of the isolate were facultatively anaerobic, spore-forming rods with peritrichous flagella. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and its cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 43.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DLS13T was a member of the genus Bacillus and most closely related to Bacillus saliphilus DSM 15402T (96.9 % similarity). The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain DLS13T and B. saliphilus DSM 15402T was 38.7±1.9 %. Comparative analysis of genotypic and phenotypic features indicated that strain DLS13T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus daliensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is DLS13T (=CGMCC 1.10369T=JCM 17097T=NBRC 107572T).

Salt-adapted bacteria isolated from the Rouge River and potential for degradation of contaminants and biotechnological applications

The current work extends the phenotypic and molecular characterization of the bacterial culture collection from the Rouge River to gain an understanding of the physiology of the strains and their potential for biotechnological applications. Phenotypic and molecular analyses were performed on six unique strains. Most of the strains tested for hydrolytic activities were positive for the production of enzymes, in contrast to previously described species that showed very little hydrolase activities. Little antibiotic resistance was seen among the strains, although Halobacillus (strain 9-gw1-su5-2) was found to be the most resistant to antibiotics. Results revealed the physiological diversity of the strains in terms of their ability to metabolize unusual and refractory substrates. Of the 31 toxic organic compounds, 2 to 18 were used by the strains. Clostridium (strain 9-gw1-su5-2) exhibited the broadest utilization capability. The isolates were versatile in their nutrient abilities and represented a potential source of bacteria and/or genetic material for the degradation of contaminants and biotechnological applications.

Anoxybacillus thermarum sp. nov., a novel thermophilic bacterium isolated from thermal mud in Euganean hot springs, Abano Terme, Italy

A novel aerobe thermophilic endospore-forming bacterium designated strain AF/04(T) was isolated from thermal mud located in Euganean hot springs, Abano Terme, Padova, Italy. Strain AF/04(T) was Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped, occurring in pairs, or filamentous. The isolate grew between 55 and 67 degrees C (optimum 65 degrees C) and at pH 6.0-7.5 (optimum pH 7.2). The strain was aerobic and grew on maltose, trehalose, and sodium acetate as sole carbon sources. The G + C content of DNA was 53.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain AF/04(T) falls within the genus Anoxybacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain AF/04(T) and the type strains of recognized Anoxybacillus species ranged from 95 to 99%. Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone-menaquinone-7; major fatty acid iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0) supported the affiliation of strain AF/04(T) to the genus Anoxybacillus. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization data, it was proposed that strain AF/04(T) (=DSM 17141(T) = ATCC BAA 1156(T)) should be placed in the genus Anoxybacillus as the type strain of a novel species, Anoxybacillus thermarum sp. nov.

Halobacillus alkaliphilus sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt lake in Fuente de Piedra, southern Spain

A Gram-positive, spore-forming, halophilic bacterial strain, FP5T, was isolated from a salt lake in southern Spain and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain FP5T was strictly aerobic. Cells were coccoidal, occurring singly or in clusters. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type of strain FP5T was A4 beta based on l-Orn-d-Asp. Strain FP5T was characterized chemotaxonomically by having MK-7 as the major menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the main fatty acids. The isolate grew optimally at 37 degrees C and in presence of 10 % NaCl; no growth was observed in the absence of NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 43.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain FP5T falls within the evolutionary radiation of species of the genus Halobacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain FP5T and the type strains of nine recognized Halobacillus species were in the range 97.0-99.0 %. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness indicated that strain FP5T represents a genomic species that is distinct from recognized Halobacillus species. Strain FP5T could be differentiated from recognized Halobacillus species based on several phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data, strain FP5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus alkaliphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FP5T (=DSM 18525T =ATCC BAA-1361T).

Haloterrigena hispanica sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from Fuente de Piedra, southern Spain

An extremely halophilic archaeon belonging to the order Halobacteriales was isolated from Fuente de Piedra salt lake, Spain. This strain, designated FP1T, was a pleomorphic coccoid, neutrophilic and required at least 15 % (w/v) NaCl for growth. Strain FP1T grew at 37–60 °C, with optimal growth at 50 °C. Mg2+ was not required, but growth was observed with up to 10 % (w/v) MgSO4. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of mannose-6-sulfate(1-2)-glucose glycerol diether as a major glycolipid. Both C20C20 and C20C25 core lipids were present. The genomic DNA G+C content was 62.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the isolate was most closely related to species of the genus Haloterrigena. DNA–DNA reassociation values between strain FP1T and the most closely related species of the genus Haloterrigena (Haloterrigena thermotolerans, Haloterrigena saccharevitans and Haloterrigena limicola) were lower than 29 %. It is therefore considered that strain FP1T represents a novel species of the genus Haloterrigena, for which the name Haloterrigena hispanica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FP1T (=DSM 18328T=ATCC BAA-1310T).

Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi subsp. incaldanensis subsp. nov., an alkalitolerant halophile isolated from an algal mat collected from a sulfurous spring in Campania (Italy), and emended description of Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi

A halophilic, alkalitolerant bacterium, strain 20AGT, was isolated from an algal mat collected from a sulfurous spring located in Santa Maria Incaldana (Mondragone, Campania Region, southern Italy). The isolate is Gram-positive, ferments several carbohydrates and has motile, rod-shaped cells that do not sporulate. The isolate grows at pH 6.5-9.5 and in 5-20 % NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the strain was shown to belong to the genus Oceanobacillus; strain 20AGT showed 96.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of Oceanobacillus iheyensis, DSM 14371T, and 99.5 % similarity to Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi NCIMB 14022T. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 20AGT and O. iheyensis DSM 14371T and O. oncorhynchi NCIMB 14022T were respectively 29.4 and 59.0 %. The G+C content of the DNA of strain 20AGT was 40.1 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine were the predominant polar lipids and minor phospholipids were also detected. ai-C14 : 0, ai-C15 : 0 and i-C15 : 0 were the major fatty acids. Strain 20AGT accumulated osmolytes and produced exopolysaccharide. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA relatedness data, isolate 20AGT should be designated as the type strain of a subspecies of Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi, for which the name Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi subsp incaldanensis subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20AGT (=DSM 16557T = ATCC BAA-954T).

Halomonas alkaliphila sp. nov., a novel halotolerant alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a salt pool in Campania (Italy)

A halotolerant and alkaliphilic Gram-negative bacterium, strain 18bAG(T), that grows aerobically at the optimum temperature of 37 degrees C, and at pH 7.5-10 (optimum 9.0), was isolated from a salt pool located in Montefredane in Campania Region (South of Italy). The isolate tolerated high concentration of NaCl up to 20%. Strain 18bAG(T) accumulated osmolytes and polyhydroxybutyrate, produced exopolysaccharide and possessed alpha-glucosidase activity. The predominant respiratory quinones were ubiquinones, Q8 and Q6(6H); phosphoethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol were the predominant polar lipids. Major fatty acids were C16 : 1, C16 : 0, and C18 : 0. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 18bAG(T) was shown to belong to Halomonas genus. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene revealed a high similarity of strain 18bAG(T) to Halomonas venusta (DSM 4743(T)) and Halomonas hydrothermalis (DSM 15725(T)). Level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 18bAG(T) and the most related species Halomonas venusta and Halomonas hydrothermalis was 56.0% and 41.2%, respectively. The G+C content (mol%) of DNA was 53.0. The RiboPrinting patterns of Halomonas venusta and 18AG(T) showed a pattern similarity of 0.50. On the basis of genomic information and phenotypic characteristics strain 18bAG(T) represents a new species, for which the name Halomonas alkaliphila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 18bAG(T) (=DSM 16354T =ATCC BAA-953T).

Alkalibacillus filiformis sp. nov., isolated from a mineral pool in Campania, Italy

A halo-alkaliphilic, Gram-positive, non-motile bacterium, designated strain 4AGT, was isolated from a mineral pool located in Malvizza, Campania, southern Italy. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain 4AGT was shown to belong to the genus Alkalibacillus within the phylum Firmicutes; its phylogenetic distance from recognized Alkalibacillus species was <95·0 %. Chemotaxonomic data (MK-7 as the major menaquinone; directly cross-linked meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall; phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids; iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 as major fatty acids; and glycine betaine and glutamate as major compatible solutes) supported the affiliation of the strain to the genus Alkalibacillus. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 4AGT from the two recognized Alkalibacillus species. Strain 4AGT therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Alkalibacillus filiformis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4AGT (=DSM 15448T=ATCC BAA-956T).

Halomonas campaniensis sp. nov., a haloalkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a mineral pool of Campania Region, Italy

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped haloalkaliphilic bacterial strain 5AGT (DSM 15293 and ATCC BAA-966) was isolated from water with algal mat of a mineral pool in Malvizza site (Campania-Italy) and was subjected to a polyphasic study. The isolate grew at temperature of 10.0-43.0 degrees C with an optimum at 37.0 degrees C. Strain 5AGT grew optimally in the presence of 10% NaCl and grew also in the absence of salt. The isolate grew in the pH range 7.0-10.0 with an optimum at pH 9.0. It accumulated glycine-betaine, ectoine, and glutamate, as osmoprotectants. Strain 5AGT was also characterized chemotaxonomically by having ubiquinone-8 (Q8) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone, phosphoethanolamine (PEA), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), as major polar lipids and aiC16:0 and C18:1cis as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 63.7mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Halomonas. The DNA-DNA hybridization of the type strain 5AGT with the most related Halomonas campisalis showed a re-association value of 35.0%. On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogeny, strain 5AGT should be placed in the genus Halomonas as a member of a novel species for which we propose the name Halomonas campaniensis sp. nov.

Salinivibrio costicola subsp. alcaliphilus subsp. nov., a haloalkaliphilic aerobe from Campania Region (Italy)

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on unidentified Gram-negative staining, haloalkaliphilic aerobe and protease producer Salinivibrio-like organism recovered from a saltish spring with algal mat in the "Pozzo del Sale" site (Salt's Well) in the Campania Region (South Italy). Phylogenetic analysis based on comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the isolate was related to species of Salinivibrio genus. The DNA-DNA hybridization of the type strain 18AG(T) with the most related Salinivibrio costicola subsp. costicola showed a reassociation value of 72%. Based on the phenotypic distinctiveness of 18AG(T) strain and molecular, chemical and genetic evidence, it is proposed that strain 18AG(T) can be classified as S. costicola subsp. alcaliphilus, subsp. nov. The type strain of S. costicola subsp. alcaliphilus, is ATCC BAA-952(T); DSM 16359(T).

Bacillus saliphilus sp. nov., isolated from a mineral pool in Campania, Italy

A haloalkaliphilic Gram-positive bacterium, strain 6AGT, that grew aerobically at an optimum temperature of 37 °C and at pH 7–10 (optimum 9·0), was isolated from algal mat from a mineral pool located in Malvizza in the Campania region (southern Italy). The isolate tolerated high concentrations of NaCl, up to 25 %. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the strain was shown to belong to the genus Bacillus. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed high similarity between strain 6AGT and an unidentified isolate from Hailaer soda lake (China) (99·9 % identity) and two Kenyan isolates, 3E1 and WE4 (98·3 and 97·8 % identity, respectively). The G+C content of the DNA was 48·4 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinones were MK-7(H2), MK-7(H4) and DMK-7(H2); phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol were the predominant polar lipids. iC15 : 0 and aiC15 : 0 were the major fatty acids. Strain 6AGT accumulated osmolytes. The phylogenetic distance of strain 6AGT (=DSM 15402T=ATCC BAA-957T) from any recognized species within the genus Bacillus allowed it to be classified as the type strain of Bacillus saliphilus sp. nov.

Planococcus rifietensis sp. nov, Isolated from Algal Mat Collected from a Sulfurous Spring in Campania (Italy)

The taxomony of strain M8, isolated from algal mat formed at the origin of a sulfurous spring in Rifieto (Savignano Irpino, Campania, Italy), was investigated in a polyphasic approach. The morphological, physiological and genetic characteristics were compared with of Planococcus and Planomicrobium species. The isolate grew optimally at pH 9.0, 1.8 M NaCl at 37 degrees C. The cells were Gram-positive cocci that form pairs, tetrads and aggregates of several cells. The isolate was aerobic/microaerophilic and accumulated glycine-betaine, as a major osmolyte, with minor components glutamate and an unknown compound. M8 was able to hydrolyse X-Glc (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl beta-d-glucopyranoside). The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as major components, and phosphocholine as a minor compound. MK8 was the only quinone found and the fatty acid composition was dominated by branched acids, mainly aiC15:0. The G+C content of DNA was 47.9% and its phylogenetic position was established by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a member of the genus Planococcus. The DNA/DNA similarity of M8 to the type species Planococcus citreus was less than 55%. For this reason and for physiological and chemotaxonomic features, it is proposed to create a new species Planococcus rifietensis sp. nov.