A decrease in Flavonifractor plautii and its product, phytosphingosine, predisposes individuals with phlegm-dampness constitution to metabolic disorders

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional theory, individuals with phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC) are at increased risk for metabolic disorders. Previous studies have indicated that PDC individuals exhibit gene expression changes associated with metabolic disorders, even individuals with normal metabolic indices. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these changes remain unclear. The gut microbiota has recently emerged as a promising avenue for elucidating TCM principles. Here, we revealed that individuals with PDC have distinct gut microbiota and serum metabolite profiles. A decrease in phytosphingosine was associated with increased PDC scores and metabolic disorder severity. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that Flavonifractor plautii can biosynthesize phytosphingosine, which was also negatively correlated with the PDC score. Interestingly, both F. plautii and phytosphingosine levels decreased in PDC subjects with normal metabolic indices. Fecal transplantation from these individuals accelerated the development of metabolic disorders in mice. However, supplementation with F. plautii and phytosphingosine ameliorated metabolic disorders by increasing phytosphingosine levels in the gut‒hepatic axis. Mechanistic investigations confirmed that phytosphingosine can directly bind to hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and activate its nuclear transcription activity, thereby regulating downstream gene expression related to glucose‒lipid metabolism. Our research indicates that the decrease in F. plautii and its product, phytosphingosine, contributes to gene expression changes related to metabolic disorders in PDC individuals and increases their susceptibility to metabolic disorders. These findings suggest that diagnosing PDC may be beneficial for identifying at-risk populations among apparently healthy individuals, thereby advancing the broader field of metabolic disorder prevention and TCM integration.

Genome-based reclassification of Sphingobacterium soli Fu et al. 2017 as a later heterotypic synonym of Sphingobacterium cellulitidis Huys et al. 2017 and proposal of Sphingobacterium siyangense subsp. siyangense subsp. nov. and Sphingobacterium siyangense subsp. cladoniae subsp. nov

Sphingobacterium, as the type genus of the family Sphingobacteriaceae, comprises a diverse array of species found in various environments. In this study, we aim to reassess and elucidate the taxonomic relationships of Sphingobacterium species. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the phylogeny of 70 validly published Sphingobacterium species was reconstructed. Of which, 50 species with available genomes were further subjected to overall genome relatedness indices (OGRI) analysis, resulting in the identification of distinct pairs of closely related species. One such pair, consisting of the type strains of Sphingobacterium soli and Sphingobacterium cellulitidis, exhibited an average nucleotide identity (ANI) of 97.7%, a digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) of 80.1% and an average amino acid identity (AAI) of 98.3%, alongside a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.8%. Based on the phylogenetic, OGRI and phenotypical evidence, we propose S. soli as a later heterotypic synonym of S. cellulitidis. Additionally, another pair of type strains, Sphingobacterium siyangense and Sphingobacterium cladoniae, possessed ANI, dDDH, AAI and 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.3, 70.1, 96.0 and 99.0%, respectively. These values, together with differences in phenotypic traits, support the proposal of two subspecies within this taxonomic lineage. Thus, we propose the establishment of two new subspecies, S. siyangense subsp. siyangense subsp. nov. and S. siyangense subsp. cladoniae subsp. nov.

Sphingobacterium tenebrionis sp. nov., isolated from intestine of mealworm

A bacterial strain designated PU5-4T was isolated from the mealworm (the larvae of Tenebrio molitor) intestines. It was identified to be Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and non-spore-forming. Strain PU5-4T was observed to grow at 10-40 °C, at pH 7.0-10.0, and in the presence of 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PU5-4T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain PU5-4T was closely related to the type strains of Sphingobacterium lactis DSM 22361T (98.49 %), Sphingobacterium endophyticum NYYP31T (98.11 %), Sphingobacterium soli NCCP 698T (97.69 %) and Sphingobacterium olei HAL-9T (95.73 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone is MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 03-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1  ω7c and/or C16 : 1  ω6c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 0  ω9c). The polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, and six unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain PU5-4T is 40.24 mol%. The average nucleotide identity of strain PU5-4T exhibited respective values of 73.88, 73.37, 73.36 and 70.84 % comparing to the type strains of S. lactis DSM 22361T, S. soli NCCP 698T, S. endophyticum NYYP31T and S. olei HAL-9T, which are below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species delineation. Based on the above results, strain PU5-4T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium temoinsis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PU5-4T (=CGMCC 1.61908T=JCM 36663T).

Sphingobacterium oryzagri sp. nov., isolated from rice paddy soil

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative and short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated M6-31T, was isolated from rice paddy soil sampled in Miryang, Republic of Korea. Growth was observed at 4-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 % w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences grouped strain M6-31T with Sphingobacterium bambusae IBFC2009T, Sphingobacterium griseoflavum SCU-B140T and Sphingobacterium solani MLS-26-JM13-11T in the same clade, with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 95.8 to 96.6 %. A genome-based phylogenetic tree reconstructed by using all publicly available Sphingobacterium genomes placed strain M6-31T with S. bambusae KACC 22910T, 'Sphingobacterium deserti' ACCC 05744T, S. griseoflavum CGMCC 1.12966T and Sphingobacterium paludis CGMCC 1.12801T. Orthologous average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain M6-31T and its closely related strains were lower than 74.6 and 22.0 %, respectively. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were C15 : 0 iso, C17 : 0 iso 3OH and summed feature 3. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data obtained in this study showed that strain M6-31T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium oryzagri sp. nov. (type strain M6-31T=KACC 22765T=JCM 35893T) is proposed.

Sphingobacterium faecale sp. nov., a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase producing bacterium isolated from camel faeces

An investigation of the diversity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase producing bacteria associated with camel faeces revealed the presence of a novel bacterial strain designated C459-1T. It was Gram-stain-negative, short-rod-shaped and non-motile. Strain C459-1T was observed to grow optimally at 35 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 0 % NaCl on Luria–Bertani agar medium. The cells were found to be positive for catalase and oxidase activities. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1  ω6c and/or C16 : 1  ω7c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one sphingophospholipid, two unknown aminophospholipids, three unknown glycolipids and five unknown lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain C459-1T was affiliated with the genus Sphingobacterium and had the highest sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium tabacisoli h337T (97.0 %) and Sphingobacterium paucimobilis HER1398T (95.6 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain C459-1T and S. tabacisoli h337T were 83.8 and 33.8 %, respectively. Phenotypic characteristics including enzyme activities and carbon source utilization differentiated strain C459-1T from other Sphingobacterium species. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain C459-1T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium faecale sp. nov. is proposed, with strain is C459-1T (CGMCC 1.18716T=KCTC 82381T) as the type strain.

Sphingobacterium micropteri sp. nov. and Sphingobacterium litopenaei sp. nov., isolated from aquaculture water

Two novel bacterial strains, designated as DN00404^T and DN04309^T, were isolated from aquaculture water and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strains DN00404^T and DN04309^T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, oxidase-positive and catalase-positive. Cells of DN00404^T were short rod-shaped and those of DN04309^T were long rod-shaped. Strain DN00404^T was found to grow at 15-37 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0 %). Strain DN04309^T was found to grow at 15-45 °C (optimum, 20-37 °C), at pH 5.5-11.0 (optimum, 7.5) and in 0-4.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences revealed that the two strains belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and were distinct from all known species of this genus. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains and between each of the two strains and related type strains of this genus were well below the recognized thresholds of 95.0-96.0 % ANI and 70.0 % dDDH for species delineation. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains DN00404^T and DN04309^T were 41.6 and 36.0 mol%, respectively. The respiratory quinone in both strains was identified as MK-7, and their major fatty acids were iso-C_15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω6c and/or C_16 : 1  ω7c), which were similar to those of other species of this genus. The two major fatty acids C_16 : 0 and iso-C_17 : 0 3-OH were also found in strain DN00404^T. Based on genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, two novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium are proposed: Sphingobacterium micropteri sp. nov. with DN00404^T (=GDMCC 1.1865^T=KACC 21924^T) as the type strain and Sphingobacterium litopenaei sp. nov. with DN04309^T (=GDMCC 1.1984^T=KCTC 82348^T) as the type strain.

Distinct bacterial community of a solid-state fermented Chinese traditional food huase sufu revealed by high-throughput sequencing

Sufu is a common solid-state traditional fermented food made from soybean. Huase sufu is a typical type found in several provinces of China, especially in Hubei. However, little is known about the bacterial community. High-throughput sequencing technology revealed that the dominant taxa at phylum level were: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroides, and at the genus level were: Pseudomonas, Lactococcus, Acinetobacter, etc. Additionally, LEfSe revealed that compared with the bacterial community of red sufu and white sufu, the biomarker genera for both huase sufu were Enterococcus, and Myroides. Moreover, there were twenty-eight hubs for the huase sufu samples, and four of them were dominant genera: Citrobacter, Myroides, Vagococcus, and Enterococcus. These results provide a new insight into our understanding of the bacterial diversity of huase sufu, and will facilitate the isolation, screening, and development potential bacterial strains for production of huase sufu.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00963-3.

Sphingobacterium phlebotomi sp. nov., a new member of family Sphingobacteriaceae isolated from sand fly rearing substrate

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated type strain SSI9T, was isolated from sand fly (Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli; Diptera: Psychodidae) rearing substrate and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Strain SSI9T contained phosphatidylethanolamine as a major polar lipid, MK-7 as the predominant quinone, and C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that SSI9T represents a member of the genus Sphingobacterium, of the family Sphingobacteriaceae sharing 96.5-88.0 % sequence similarity with other species of the genus Sphingobacterium. The results of multilocus sequence analysis using the concatenated sequences of the housekeeping genes recA, rplC and groL indicated that SSI9T formed a separate branch in the genus Sphingobacterium. The genome of SSI9T is 5 197 142 bp with a DNA G+C content of 41.8 mol% and encodes 4395 predicted coding sequences, 49 tRNAs, and three complete rRNAs and two partial rRNAs. SSI9T could be distinguished from other species of the genus Sphingobacterium with validly published names by several phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic characteristics. On the basis of the results of this polyphasic taxonomic analysis, the bacterial isolate represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium phlebotomi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SSI9T (=ATCC TSD-210T=LMG 31664T=NRRL B-65603T).

Sphingobacterium chungjuense sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater lake

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, non-flagellated, chemoheterotrophic bacterium, designated strain IMCC25678^T, was isolated from an artificial freshwater reservoir, Chungju Lake, in the Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain IMCC25678^T belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium with ≤98.7 % sequence similarities to Sphingobacterium species. Whole genome sequencing of strain IMCC25678^T revealed a 3.9 Mbp genome size with a DNA G+C content of 42.2 mol%. The IMCC25678^T genome shared ≤89.7 % average nucleotide identity and ≤21.4 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization values with closely related species of the genus Sphingobacterium, indicating that the strain represents a novel species. Summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω6c and/or C_16 : 1  ω7c), iso-C_15 : 0 and iso-C_17 : 0 3-OH were found to be the predominant cellular fatty acid constituents in the strain. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phosphoglycolipid, one unidentified sphingolipid and three unidentified polar lipids. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain IMCC25678^T was considered to represent a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium chungjuense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC25678^T (=KACC 19485^T=NBRC 113130^T).

Sphingomonas corticis sp. nov., and Sphingobacterium corticibacterium sp. nov., from bark canker

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strains, 36D10-4-7^T and 30C10-4-7^T, were isolated from bark canker tissue of Populus × euramericana, respectively. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain 36D10-4-7^T shows 98.0 % sequence similarity to Sphingomonas adhaesiva DSM 7418^T, and strain 30C10-4-7^T shows highest sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium arenae H-12^T (95.6 %). Average nucleotide identity analysis indicates that strain 36D10-4-7^T is a novel member different from recognized species in the genus Sphingomonas. The main fatty acids and respiratory quinone detected in strain 36D10-4-7^T are C_18 : 1  ω7c and/or C_18 : 1  ω6c and Q-10, respectively. The polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, two uncharacterized phospholipids and two uncharacterized lipids. For strain 30C10-4-7^T, the major fatty acids and menaquinone are iso-C_15 : 0, C_16 : 1  ω7c and/or C_16 : 1  ω6c and iso-C_17 : 0 3-OH and MK-7, respectively. The polar lipid profile includes phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids, two aminophospholipids and six unidentified lipids. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, these two strains represent two novel species within the genera Sphingomonas and Sphingobacterium. The name Sphingomonas corticis sp. nov. (type strain 36D10-4-7^T=CFCC 13112^T=KCTC 52799^T) and Sphingobacterium corticibacterium sp. nov. (type strain 30C10-4-7^T=CFCC 13069^T=KCTC 52797^T) are proposed.

Performance and Application of 16S rRNA Gene Cycle Sequencing for Routine Identification of Bacteria in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

This review provides a state-of-the-art description of the performance of Sanger cycle sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for routine identification of bacteria in the clinical microbiology laboratory. A detailed description of the technology and current methodology is outlined with a major focus on proper data analyses and interpretation of sequences. The remainder of the article is focused on a comprehensive evaluation of the application of this method for identification of bacterial pathogens based on analyses of 16S multialignment sequences. In particular, the existing limitations of similarity within 16S for genus- and species-level differentiation of clinically relevant pathogens and the lack of sequence data currently available in public databases is highlighted. A multiyear experience is described of a large regional clinical microbiology service with direct 16S broad-range PCR followed by cycle sequencing for direct detection of pathogens in appropriate clinical samples. The ability of proteomics (matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight) versus 16S sequencing for bacterial identification and genotyping is compared. Finally, the potential for whole-genome analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS) to replace 16S sequencing for routine diagnostic use is presented for several applications, including the barriers that must be overcome to fully implement newer genomic methods in clinical microbiology. A future challenge for large clinical, reference, and research laboratories, as well as for industry, will be the translation of vast amounts of accrued NGS microbial data into convenient algorithm testing schemes for various applications (i.e., microbial identification, genotyping, and metagenomics and microbiome analyses) so that clinically relevant information can be reported to physicians in a format that is understood and actionable. These challenges will not be faced by clinical microbiologists alone but by every scientist involved in a domain where natural diversity of genes and gene sequences plays a critical role in disease, health, pathogenicity, epidemiology, and other aspects of life-forms. Overcoming these challenges will require global multidisciplinary efforts across fields that do not normally interact with the clinical arena to make vast amounts of sequencing data clinically interpretable and actionable at the bedside.

Sphingobacterium endophyticum sp. nov., a novel endophyte isolated from halophyte

A bacterial strain designated NYYP31^T was isolated from the leaves of an annual halophytes, Suaeda corniculata Bunge, collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, north-west China. Strain NYYP31^T was Gram-staining negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and non-spore-forming. Growth was observed at 4-42 °C, at pH 5.0-10.0, in the presence of up to 8% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters showed that strain NYYP31^T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain NYYP31^T was most closely related to the type strain of Sphingobacterium daejeonense (97.9%) and Sphingobacterium lactis (97.7%). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids, three unidentified amino phospholipids, and two unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G + C content was 36.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values for strain NYYP31^T to the type strains of S. daejeonense and S. lactis were 77.9 and 74.1%, respectively, which were below the cut-off level (95-96%) for species delineation. Based on the above results, strain NYYP31^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NYYP31^T (= CGMCC 1.16979^T = NBRC 114258^T).

Sphingobacterium cavernae sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from soil sampled at Tiandong Cave

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 5.0403-2T, was isolated from a cave soil sample collected from Tiandong Cave, Guizhou Province, south-west PR China. Cells showed positive oxidase and catalase reactions. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), iso-C17 : 0 3OH and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c or C16 : 0 10-methyl). The cellular polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified phosphoglycolipids and four unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 5.0403-2T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium . Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain 5.0403-2T was most similar to Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685T (98.7 %), Sphingobacterium composti KCTC 12578T (98.0 %) and Sphingobacterium alimentarium DSM 22362T (97.3 %) and less than 95.0 % similar to other species of the genus Sphingobacterium . The average nucleotide identity values between strain 5.0403-2T and S. bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685T, S. composti KCTC 12578T and S. alimentarium DSM 22362T were 94.2, 82.3 and 77.2 % respectively. The digitalDNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 5.0403-2T and S. bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685T, S. composti KCTC 12578T and S. alimentarium DSM 22362T were 68.4, 25.6 and 20.7 %. These results indicated that the isolate represented a novel genomic species. The polyphasic taxonomic characteristics indicated that strain 5.0304-2T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium cavernae sp. nov. (type strain 5.0403–2T=KCTC 62981T=CCTCC AB 2019257T) is proposed.

Microbial Populations of Fresh and Cold Stored Donkey Milk by High-Throughput Sequencing Provide Indication for A Correct Management of This High-Value Product

Donkey milk is receiving increasing interest due to its attractive nutrient and functional properties (but also cosmetic), which make it a suitable food for sensitive consumers, such as infants with allergies, the immunocompromised, and elderly people. Our study aims to provide further information on the microbial variability of donkey milk under cold storage conditions. Therefore, we analysed by high-throughput sequencing the bacterial communities in unpasteurized donkey milk just milked, and after three days of conservation at 4 °C, respectively. Results showed that fresh donkey milk was characterized by a high incidence of spoilage Gram-negative bacteria mainly belonging to Pseudomonas spp. A composition lower than 5% of lactic acid bacteria was found in fresh milk samples, with Lactococcus spp. being the most abundant. The occurrence of microbial species belonging to risk group 2 was found in fresh milk. After three days of cold storage, the bacterial biodiversity of donkey milk was strongly reduced, since about 93% of the bacterial communities were identified as different species of psychrotrophic Pseudomonas. In conclusion, we report a preliminary description of the microbial diversity of donkey milk by using a metagenomic approach and encouraging a correct exploitation of this high-value niche product.

Enhanced short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge with alkaline followed by potassium ferrate treatment

This study reported an efficient approach, i.e., alkaline followed by potassium ferrate (PF) pretreatment, to enhance short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production from waste activated sludge anaerobic fermentation process. The optimum condition was initial pH of 10.0 and PF dosage of 28 mg Fe(VI)/g total suspended solid, with the highest SCFAs production of 382 mg chemical oxygen demand/g volatile suspended solid, which was 2.03 and 2.06 times higher than that of corresponding sole treatments. It was found that the alkaline + PF treatment could provide more soluble substrates for subsequent acidification process by accelerating disruption of both microbial cells and extracellular polymeric substances. And the alkaline + PF treatment also benefited to the activity promotion of specific hydrolases and inhibition of methanogens. Besides, the abundances of microorganisms related to SCFAs production, such as Proteiniclasticum and Macellibacteroides, were increased greatly, whereas the main SCFAs consumer, Proteobacteria, was decreased from 29.1% to 14.4%.

Sphingobacterium puteale sp. nov., isolated from a deep subsurface aquifer

A bacterial strain M05W1-28^T was isolated from a well that collected water for irrigation from a deep aquifer at a depth of 400 m. Cells were observed to be rod-shaped, non-motile, aerobic, stained Gram-negative. Optimal growth was obtained at pH 7.0 (range: 6.0-9.0), 28 °C (range: 15-37 °C) and 0 % NaCl (range: 0-1.5 %, w/v) in modified tryptic soy broth (mTSB) without added NaCl and R2A. The cells were found to be positive for catalase and oxidase activities. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω7c / C_16 : 1  ω6c) and iso-C_15 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid, phosphoglycolipids, phospholipids, and unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The genomic G+C content of strain M05W1-28^T was 40.7 %. Based on similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M05W1-28^T was affiliated with the genus Sphingobacterium, exhibiting the highest sequence similarities with S. multivorum LMG 8342^T (97.5 %), S. ginsenosidimutans THG07^T (97.1 %) and less than 97.0 % to other members of the genus. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation values (dDDH) between M05W1-28^T and S. multivorum LMG 8342^T were 78.1 and 22.5 %, respectively. Phenotypic characteristics including enzyme activities and carbon source utilisation differentiated the strain from other Sphingobacterium species. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggested that strain M05W1-28^T represented a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium puteale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M05W1-28^T (=CGMCC 1.13711^T=KCTC 72027^T).

Response of environmental variables and microbial community to sodium percarbonate addition to contaminated sediment

Sodium percarbonate (SPC) is a common reagent used for in situ remediation of contaminated soil. Current studies focus on the effects of SPC on pollutant removal; however, a knowledge gap exists for the biochemical process following SPC addition. In this study, a microcosm batch experiment was conducted to investigate the residual effect caused by different doses of SPC addition on native microbial communities, as well as on the environmental variables of contaminated sediments. The obtained results showed that the more SPC was added, the more dissolved matters were generated and the oxidation-reduction potential was lowered. Furthermore, the metabolic activities of the microbial community were enhanced and the microbial community structure responded differently to different SPC doses: the microbes that increased at high SPC dose mainly belonged to the phylum Firmicutes, the class Clostridia, and the genera Petrimonas and Proteiniclasticum. The microbes that increased at medium SPC dose mainly belonged to the class Alphaproteobacteria and the genus Brevundimonas. In contrast, vulnerable microbes mainly belonged to the phylum Acidobacteria, the class Caldisericia, Holophagae, and the genus Sulfuricurvum. Microbes capable of fermentation, ureolysis, and chemohetrotrophy increased. These results indicate that SPC addition could indirectly provide both electron acceptors and donors, thus improving the metabolic activities of the microorganisms in the contaminated sediment. Furthermore, the utilized SPC dose should be considered to achieve the optimal benefit for in situ remediation. This study forms a valuable reference for the application of SPC in ecological engineering.

Sphingobacterium haloxyli sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from Haloxylon ammodendron stems in Kumtag desert

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, bacterial strain, designated 5JN-11^T, was isolated from Haloxylonammodendron stems in Kumtag desert, Xinjiang province, China. Strain 5JN-11^T grew at salinities of 0-6 % (w/v; optimum 0-2 %), a pH of 7.0-9.0 (pH 7.0-8.0) and temperatures of 20-42 °C (28-30 °C). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the strain was designated a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and the phylogenetic analysis showed that strain 5JN-11^T shared the highest similarity to Sphingobacterium gobiense H7^T, followed by Sphingobacterium chuzhouense DH-5^T and Sphingobacterium arenae H-12^T. The unfinished draft genome of strain 5JN-11^T was 4.69 Mb. The G+C content of strain 5JN-11^T was 42.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity to S. gobiense H7^T was 90.5 %. The respiratory quinone was MK-7, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoglycolipid. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, strain 5JN-11^T represents a novel species in the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumhaloxyli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5JN-11^T (=ACCC 60072^T=KCTC 62457^T).

Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis sp. nov., isolated from yak milk

A novel Gram-negative, rod shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain YK2^T, was isolated from yak milk from Leh, India. The strain was positive for oxidase- and catalase-activities and negative for starch hydrolysis, nitrate reduction, citrate utilization, urease, lysine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase activities. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (summed feature 3). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid and six unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 38.9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain YK2^T was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and closely related to Sphingobacterium alimentarium and Sphingobacterium composti with pair-wise sequence similarity of 98.3 and 97.9 %, respectively. The sequence similarity to other members of the genus Sphingobacterium was between 92.6 to 96.3 %. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YK2^T clustered with Sphingobacterium alimentarium and together clustered with Sphingobacterium composti. DNA-DNA hybridization of strain YK2^T with Sphingobacterium alimentarium WCC 4521^T and Sphingobacterium composti T5-12^T showed a relatedness of only 38 and 54 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and on phylogenetic inference, it appears that strain YK2^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis sp. nov. is YK2^T (=MTCC 12631^T=KCTC 52685^T=JCM 31951^T).

Autochthonous facility-specific microbiota dominates washed-rind Austrian hard cheese surfaces and its production environment

Cheese ripening involves the succession of complex microbial communities that are responsible for the organoleptic properties of the final products. The food processing environment can act as a source of natural microbial inoculation, especially in traditionally manufactured products. Austrian Vorarlberger Bergkäse (VB) is an artisanal washed-rind hard cheese produced in the western part of Austria without the addition of external ripening cultures. Here, the composition of the bacterial communities present on VB rinds and on different processing surfaces from two ripening cellars was assessed by near full length 16S rRNA gene amplification, cloning and sequencing. Non-inoculated aerobic bacteria dominated all surfaces in this study. VB production conditions (long ripening time, high salt concentration and low temperatures) favor the growth of psychro- and halotolerant bacteria. Several bacterial groups, such as coryneforms, Staphylococcus equorum and Halomonas dominated VB and were also found on most environmental surfaces. Analysis of OTUs shared between different surfaces suggests that VB rind bacteria are inoculated naturally during the ripening from the processing environment and that cheese surfaces exert selective pressure on these communities, as only those bacteria better adapted flourished on VB rinds. This study analyzed VB processing environment microbiota and its relationship with VB rinds for the first time, elucidating that the processing environment and the cheese microbiota should be considered as microbiologically linked ecosystems with the goal of better defining the events that take place during cheese maturation.

Two Draft Genome Sequences of Sphingobacterium sp. Strains Isolated from Honey

Here, we report two annotated draft genome sequences of Sphingobacterium sp. strains isolated from honey. The genomes of strains 1.A.4 and 1.A.5 show a limited similarity to each other and to genomes of other Sphingobacterium species, indicating that these isolates may represent new species.

Sphingobacterium humi sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain D1^T, was isolated from soil in South Korea. Cells of strain D1^T were non-motile rods with oxidase- and catalase-positive activities. Growth was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30-37 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 0.0-5.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.0-1.0 %). The only respiratory quinone detected was menaquinone 7 (MK-7), and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipid, and two unidentified glycophospholipids and four unidentified lipids were also detected as minor polar lipids. Sphingolipids, a typical chemotaxonomic feature of the genus Sphingobacterium, were detected. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 43.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain D1^T formed a phyletic lineage with Sphingobacterium hotanense XH4^T within the genus Sphingobacterium. Strain D1^T was most closely related to S. hotanense XH4^T (98.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Sphingobacterium cellulitidis R-53603^T (97.2 %), and the DNA-DNA relatedness level between strain D1^T and the type strain of S. cellulitidis was 43.1±0.7 %. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain D1^T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D1^T (=KACC 18595^T=JCM 31225^T).

Sphingobacteriumsoli sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated YIM X0211T, was isolated from a soil sample of Shiling County, Yunnan Province, south-west China. The new isolate was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0 and with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. It was positive for catalase and oxidase but negative for H2S production. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM X0211T fell within the cluster comprising Sphingobacterium species and clustered with Sphingobacterium mizutaii DSM 11724T (97.93 % similarity). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipid, and several unknown phospholipids or lipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain YIM X0211T and S. mizutaii DSM 11724T was 42.3±0.4 %, which is below the 70 % limit for species delineation. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain YIM X0211T to the genus Sphingobacterium. Based on the recorded phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is determined that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM X0211T (=KCTC 42696T=CGMCC 1.15966T).

Sphingobacterium alkalisoli sp. nov., isolated from a saline-alkaline soil

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium designated Y3L14T was isolated from the saline-alkaline soil of a farmland, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Strain Y3L14T could grow at 10-40 °C (optimally at 30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimally at pH 8.0), and in the presence of 0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 0-2.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB) gene sequences revealed that strain Y3L14T clustered with strains belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium lactis WCC 4512T (94.99 %). Its major cellular fatty acids contained iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the only isoprenoid quinone. Strain Y3L14T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingophospholipid, two unknown phospholipids and three unknown lipids as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Y3L14T was 36.0 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic characteristics, strain Y3L14T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which Sphingobacterium alkalisoli sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is Y3L14T (=CGMCC 1.15782T=KCTC 52379T).

Sphingobacterium chuzhouense sp. nov., isolated from farmland soil

A novel Gram-staining-negative bacterium, designated DH-5T, was isolated from a farmland soil in Chuzhou, Anhui province, China. Cells of strain DH-5T were aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. The organism grew at 20-37 °C, pH 6.0-9.0 and with 0-5 % NaCl (w/v). The DNA G+C content was 42.8 mol%. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The respiratory quinone was MK-7, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoglycolipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DH-5T was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and shared the highest similarity with Sphingobacterium gobiense H7T (96.0 %), followed by Sphingobacterium arenae H-12T (94.5 %). Strain DH-5T exhibited low DNA-DNA relatedness with S. gobiense H7T (35.1±1.4 %) and S. arenae H-12T (21.4±1.0 %). On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, DH-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium chuzhouense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DH-5T (=ACCC 19856T=KCTC 42746T).

Sphingobacterium jejuense sp. nov., with ginsenoside-converting activity, isolated from compost

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, light yellow, short-rod bacterium (designated GJ30-7T) isolated from compost, was characterized using a polyphasic approach, in order to clarify its taxonomic position. Strain GJ30-7T was observed to grow optimally at 30 °C and at pH 7.0 on R2A agar medium. Strain Gsoil GJ30-7T possessed β-glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc (the two main active components of ginseng) to ginsenoside F2. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, indicated that GJ30-7T belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium of the family Sphingobacteriaceae and was most closely related to Sphingobacterium yanglingense JCM 30166T (92.6 %), Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum KACC 18188T (92.6 %), and Sphingobacterium thermophilum KCTC 23708T (92.0 %). The DNA G+C content was 43 mol% and MK-7 was the major isoprenoid quinone. The main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospolipid and one unknown polar lipid. In contrast to standard and reference strains, unidentified sphingolipid was also present. The predominant fatty acids of strain GJ30-7T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3) and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl (summed feature 9), supporting the affiliation of strain GJ30-7T to the genus Sphingobacterium. However, strain GJ30-7T could be distinguished genotypically and phenotypically from species of the genus Sphingobacterium with validly published names. The novel isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium jejuense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain GJ30-7T (=KACC 18625T=JCM 30948T).

Temporal and spatial changes of microbial community in an industrial effluent receiving area in Hangzhou Bay

Anthropogenic activities usually contaminate water environments, and have led to the eutrophication of many estuaries and shifts in microbial communities. In this study, the temporal and spatial changes of the microbial community in an industrial effluent receiving area in Hangzhou Bay were investigated by 454 pyrosequencing. The bacterial community showed higher richness and biodiversity than the archaeal community in all sediments. Proteobacteria dominated in the bacterial communities of all the samples; Marine_Group_I and Methanomicrobia were the two dominant archaeal classes in the effluent receiving area. PCoA and AMOVA revealed strong seasonal but minor spatial changes in both bacterial and archaeal communities in the sediments. The seasonal changes of the bacterial community were less significant than those of the archaeal community, which mainly consisted of fluctuations in abundance of a large proportion of longstanding species rather than the appearance and disappearance of major archaeal species. Temperature was found to positively correlate with the dominant bacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and negatively correlate with the dominant archaea, Marine_Group_I; and might be the primary driving force for the seasonal variation of the microbial community.

Sphingobacterium suaedae sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Suaeda corniculata

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated T47T, was isolated from saline soil of the Suaeda corniculata rhizosphere, located on the bank of Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Strain T47T could grow at 10–40 °C (with 30 °C the optimal temperature), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimal pH 6.0) and in the presence of 0–6.0 % (w/v) NaCl [optimal 0–1.0 % (w/v)]. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that strain T47T formed a stable clade with Sphingobacterium composti 4M24T, Sphingobacterium bambusae IBFC2009T, Sphingobacterium paludis S37T and Sphingobacterium wenxiniae LQY-18T, with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 91.9–95.4 %. Its major cellular fatty acids contained iso-C15 : 0 (39.9 %), summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c, 23.0 %), C16 : 0 (12.8 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (9.9 %). MK7 was the major menaquinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 45.5 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic characteristics, strain T47T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T47T ( = CGMCC 1.15277T = KCTC 42662T).

Sphingobacterium mucilaginosum sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of a rose

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain THG-SQA8T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of rose in PR China. Strain THG-SQA8T was closely related to members of the genus Sphingobacterium, showed the highest sequence similarities with Sphingobacterium multivorum KACC 14105T (98.0 %) and Sphingobacterium ginsenosidimutans KACC 14526T (97.4 %). DNA–DNA hybridization showed values of 35.2 ± 0.9 % and 8.8 ± 0.3 % DNA reassociation with S. multivorum KACC 14105T and S. ginsenosidimutans KACC 14526T, respectively. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain THG-SQA8T possesses menaquinone-7 as the only respiratory quinone, and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 40.7 mol%. These data corroborated the affiliation of strain THG-SQA8T to the genus Sphingobacterium. Thus, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium mucilaginosum sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-SQA8T as the type strain ( = CCTCC AB 2014317T = KCTC 42503T).

Sphingobacterium rhinocerotis sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of Rhinoceros unicornis

A novel Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated YIM 101302(T), was isolated from the faeces of Rhinoceros unicornis dwelling in the Yunnan Wild Animal Park, Yunnan province, South-West China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed a clear affiliation of strain YIM 101302(T) to the genus Sphingobacterium. The newly isolated bacterium was found to be closely related to Sphingobacterium composti T5-12(T) (97.1% 16S rRNA sequence identity) and Sphingobacterium alimentarium WCC 4521(T) (95.6% 16S rRNA sequence identity) forming a distinct clade with these two species. Polar lipids of strain YIM 101302(T) were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, and three unidentified polar lipids; the predominant menaquinone as MK-7 and the major fatty as iso-C15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 38.9 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain YIM 101302(T) and S. composti T5-12(T), was 53.6 ± 5.8%. These results indicates that strain YIM 101302(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium rhinocerotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 101302(T) (=CCTCC AB 2013218(T) = KCTC 42533(T)).

Sphingobacterium yanglingense sp. nov., isolated from the nodule surface of soybean

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive strain, designated CCNWSP36-1(T), was isolated from the nodule surface of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivar Zhonghuang 13. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis clearly showed that the isolate represented a member of the genus Sphingobacterium. On the basis of pairwise comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CCNWSP36-1(T) showed 96.8% similarity to Sphingobacterium nematocida CCTCC AB 2010390(T) and less than 95.2% similarity to other members of the genus Sphingobacterium. Growth of strain CCNWSP36-1(T) occurred at 10-40 °C and at pH 5.0-9.0. The NaCl range (w/v) for growth was 0-4%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and several unidentified polar lipids. Sphingolipid was present. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15:0) and summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1)ω6c and/or C(16:1)ω7c). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.1 mol%. As the physiological and biochemical characteristics of strain CCNWSP36-1(T) and the type strains of its closest phylogenetic neighbours showed clear differences, a novel species, Sphingobacterium yanglingense, is proposed. The type strain is CCNWSP36-1(T) ( =ACCC 19328(T) =JCM 30166(T)).

Sphingobacterium paludis sp. nov., isolated from wetland soil

A novel Gram-stain-negative bacteria, designated S37T, was isolated from soil of the Xixi wetland, Zhejiang province, China. Cells of strain S37T were aerobic, non-motile rods. Growth occurred at 10–37 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 5.0–9.7 (optimum, pH 7.5) and with 0–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain S37T was found to be a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and shared highest similarity with Sphingobacterium composti 4M24T (95.78 %). The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and the DNA G+C content was 43.8 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Based on its phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic data, strain S37T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium paludis sp. nov. (type strain S37T = CGMCC 1.12801T = NBRC 110386T) is proposed.

Sphingobacterium gobiense sp. nov., isolated from soil of the Gobi Desert

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated H7(T), was isolated from the Gobi desert, Xinjiang Province of China. The temperature, NaCl and pH ranges for growth were 8-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 6-10 (optimum pH 7), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain H7(T) belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed highest sequence similarity (91 %) to Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850. The genomic DNA G+C content was 44.3 mol%. MK-7 was identified as the predominant respiratory quinone. Strain H7(T) contained C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids. These data support the affiliation of strain H7(T) to the genus Sphingobacterium while phenotypic data indicated it is a representative strain of a novel species for which the name Sphingobacterium gobiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H7(T) ( = ACCC 05757(T) = KCTC 32293(T)).

Sphingobacterium pakistanensis sp. nov., a novel plant growth promoting rhizobacteria isolated from rhizosphere of Vigna mungo

The taxonomic status of a bacterium, strain NCCP-246(T), isolated from rhizosphere of Vigna mungo, was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain NCCP-246(T) can grow at 16-37 °C (optimum 32 °C), at pH ranges of 6-8 (optimum growth occurs at pH 7) and in 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based upon on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain NCCP-246(T) belonged to genus Sphingobacterium. Strain NCCP-246(T) showed highest similarity to the type strain of Sphingobacterium canadense CR11(T) (97.67 %) and less than 97 % with other species of the genus. The DNA-DNA relatedness value of strain NCCP-246(T) with S. canadense CR11(T) and Sphingobacterium thalpophilum JCM 21153(T) was 55 and 44.4 %, respectively. The chemotaxonomic data revealed the major menaquinone as MK-7 and dominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 [C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c] (37.07 %), iso-C15:0 (28.03 %), C16:0 (11.85 %), C17:0 cyclo (8.84 %) and C14:0 (2.42 %). The G+C content of the strain was 39.2 mol%. On the basis of DNA-DNA hybridization, phylogenetic analyses, physiological and, biochemical data, strain NCCP-246(T) can be differentiated from the validly named members of genus Sphingobacterium and thus represents as a new species, for which the name, Sphingobacterium pakistanensis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain NCCP-246(T) (= JCM18974 (T) = KCTC 23914(T)).

Sphingobacterium arenae sp. nov., isolated from sandy soil

A novel, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium designated H-12(T) was isolated from a mixed sandy soil sample collected from Xinjiang, China. Strain H-12(T) grew at 20-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 7.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 8.5) on TGY medium with 0-5 % NaCl (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain H-12(T) shared sequence similarities with Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850(T) (90.0 %). Strain H-12(T) showed a low level of DNA-DNA relatedness to Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850(T) (45.5 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain H-12(T) was MK-7 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16:1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. DNA G+C content of strain H-12(T) was 44.15 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain H-12(T) is proposed to be a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium arenae sp. nov. is suggested and the type strain is H-12(T) ( = ACCC 05758(T) = KCTC 32294(T)).

DNA-DNA hybridization study of strains of Chryseobacterium, Elizabethkingia and Empedobacter and of other usually indole-producing non-fermenters of CDC groups IIc, IIe, IIh and IIi, mostly from human clinical sources, and proposals of Chryseobacterium bernardetii sp. nov., Chryseobacterium carnis sp. nov., Chryseobacterium lactis sp. nov., Chryseobacterium nakagawai sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium taklimakanense comb. nov

The taxonomic classification of 182 phenotypically similar isolates was evaluated using DNA-DNA hybridization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These bacterial isolates were mainly derived from clinical sources; all were Gram-negative non-fermenters and most were indole-producing. Phenotypically, they resembled species from the genera Chryseobacterium, Elizabethkingia or Empedobacter or belonged to CDC groups IIc, IIe, IIh and IIi. Based on these analyses, four novel species are described: Chryseobacterium bernardetii sp. nov. (type strain NCTC 13530(T) = CCUG 60564(T) = CDC G229(T)), Chryseobacterium carnis sp. nov. (type strain NCTC 13525(T) = CCUG 60559(T) = CDC G81(T)), Chryseobacterium lactis sp. nov. (type strain NCTC 11390(T) = CCUG 60566(T) = CDC KC1864(T)) and Chryseobacterium nakagawai sp. nov. (type strain NCTC 13529(T) = CCUG 60563(T) = CDC G41(T)). The new combination Chryseobacterium taklimakanense comb. nov. (type strain NCTC 13490(T) = X-65(T) = CCTCC AB 208154(T) = NRRL B-51322(T)) is also proposed to accommodate the reclassified Planobacterium taklimakanense.

Sphingobacterium caeni sp. nov., isolated from activated sludge

The taxonomic status of a bacterium, strain DC-8T, isolated from activated sludge, was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells of strain DC-8T were Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. The isolate grew at temperature range of 10–40 °C (optimum 30–35 °C), pH range of 5.0–10.0 (optimum 6.5–8.0) and NaCl concentrations of 0–5 % (optimum 0–1 %). The predominant menaquinone of strain DC-8T was MK-7 and major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c; 39.7 %), iso-C15 : 0 (33.7 %) and C16 : 0 (5.2 %). The DNA G+C content was 39.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain DC-8T was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium . Strain DC-8T shared the highest similarity with Sphingobacterium siyangense SY1T (98.4 %), Sphingobacterium multivorum IAM 14316T (98.3 %), Sphingobacterium canadense CR11T (98.0 %) and Sphingobacterium detergens 6.2ST (97.9 %) and shared less than 97 % similarity with other members of the genus Sphingobacterium . DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed that the DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain DC-8T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 70 %. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, whole-cell fatty acid composition as well as biochemical characteristics, strain DC-8T was clearly distinguished from all recognized species of the genus Sphingobacterium and should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DC-8T ( = CCTCC AB 2012020T = KACC 16850T).

Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from Lake Michigan water

A psychrophilic, Gram-negative bacterium, designated MOL-1T, was isolated from water of Lake Michigan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the sequence of strain MOL-1T has sequence similarity of 95.6, 94.8, 94.3, 94.3, 94.2 and 93.9 %, respectively, to the 16S rRNA gene sequences of Sphingobacterium shayense HS39T, S. lactis WCC 4512T, S. composti T5-12T, S. daejeonense TR6-04T, S. bambusae IBFC2009T and S. alimentarium WCC 4521T. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). Menaquinone MK-7 is the predominant respiratory quinone, while sym-homospermidine is the predominant polyamine. The polar lipid profile is composed of the predominant lipids phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified polar lipid L2, with moderate amounts of unidentified polar lipids L1, L5 and L6 and unidentified aminophospholipids APL1 and APL2 and minor to trace amounts of unidentified polar lipids L3, L4, L7, L8, L9 and L10, unidentified phospholipid PL4 and unidentified aminophospholipid APL3. After molecular and phenotypic studies, including chemotaxonomic analyses, it was concluded that strain MOL-1T represents a novel Sphingobacterium species, for which the name Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MOL-1T ( = NRRL B-59232T  = DSM 22418T).

Naumannella halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., a Gram-positive coccus of the family Propionibacteriaceae isolated from a pharmaceutical clean room and from food

Four Gram-stain-positive, aerobic bacterial strains isolated from a pharmaceutical clean room (strain WS4616T), a dessert milk product (strain WS4617) and from raw milk (strains WS4623 and WS4624) were characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and recA gene sequences showed that they formed a distinct lineage within the family Propionibacteriaceae . Similarity values between 16S rRNA gene sequences of the four novel strains and the type species of all genera belonging to the family Propionibacteriaceae were 89.2–94.1 %. The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0 and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Respiratory quinones were MK-8(H4) and MK-9(H4). The cell-wall peptidoglycan of type A3γ contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, alanine, glycine and glutamic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain WS4616T was 67.7 mol%. The whole-cell sugar pattern contained ribose, mannose, arabinose, glucose and galactose. On the basis of phenotypic and genetic data, strains WS4616T, WS4617, WS4623 and WS4624 are classified as members of a novel species in a new genus of the family Propionibacteriaceae , for which the name Naumannella halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WS4616T ( = DSM 24323T = LMG 26184T) and three additional strains are WS4617, WS4623 and WS4624.

Sphingobacterium detergens sp. nov., a surfactant-producing bacterium isolated from soil

A novel Gram-negative-staining strain, designated 6.2ST, was isolated from a soil sample and identified as a biosurfactant producer. Its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The cells were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. The organism grew optimally at 30-37 °C, with 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl, and at pH 7.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain 6.2ST was found to be a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and was most closely related to four type species of the genus, showing sequence similarities of 96.8–98.9 %. Partial chaperonin 60 (cpn60) gene sequence analysis was useful in resolving the phylogenetic relationships between strain 6.2ST and closely related taxa, with similarities ranging from 85.5 % (with Sphingobacterium thalpophilum DSM 11723T) to 90.3 % (with Sphingobacterium canadense CR11T and Sphingobacterium multivorum JCM 21156T). The results of DNA–DNA hybridization experiments between the novel strain and its closest relatives gave a DNA–DNA relatedness value of less than 70 %, and consequently confirmed that this new strain did not belong to a previously described species of the genus Sphingobacterium . The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2 OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c); iso-C15 : 0; iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.0 mol%. According to its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and the phylogenetic data, strain 6.2ST represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium detergens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6.2ST ( = CECT 7938T = LMG 26465T).

Sphingobacterium hotanense sp. nov., isolated from soil of a Populus euphratica forest, and emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium daejeonense and Sphingobacterium shayense

A novel Gram-staining-negative bacterial strain, designated XH4(T), was isolated from soil of a Populus euphratica forest in the Hotan River valley, Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, PR China. The cells were strictly aerobic, non-motile, short rods. The isolate grew optimally at 37 °C and at pH 7.0-8.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain XH4(T) belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and was closely related to Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299(T) (96.1 % sequence similarity). The DNA G+C content was 41.2 mol%. The major polar lipid of strain XH4(T) was phosphatidylethanolamine, and several unidentified polar lipids were also present. Strain XH4(T) showed the typical chemotaxonomic features of the genus Sphingobacterium, with the presence of ceramide phosphorylethanolamine 2 (CerPE-2) as the major ceramide. The major cellular fatty acids of strain XH4(T) were iso-C15 : 0 (34.0 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c; 20.7 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (14.7 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. On the basis of phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference, strain XH4(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium hotanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XH4(T) ( = NRRL B-59204(T)  = CCTCC AB 209007(T)). Emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium daejeonense and Sphingobacterium shayense are also given.

Bacillus kochii sp. nov., isolated from foods and a pharmaceuticals manufacturing site

Three Gram-staining-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, catalase-positive, endospore-forming rods, designated WCC 4582T, WCC 4581 and WCC 4583, were isolated from two different food sources and a pharmaceuticals production site. The three isolates were highly similar in their 16S rRNA gene sequences (100 % similarity) and groEL sequences (99.2–100 % similarity), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic fingerprints and other features tested. The isolates were most closely related to Bacillus horneckiae ; the isolates and the type strain of B. horneckiae shared 97.6 % and 89.6 % 16S rRNA gene and groEL sequence similarities, respectively. The organisms grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7 and in the presence of 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of WCC 4582T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (A1γ) and the genomic DNA G+C content was 36.4 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain WCC 4582T and B. horneckiae NRRL B-59162T was 17 %. The three isolates are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which the name Bacillus kochii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WCC 4582T ( = DSM 23667T = CCUG 59877T = LMG 25855T).

Micrococcus cohnii sp. nov., isolated from the air in a medical practice

Three Gram-reaction-positive bacteria, isolated from the air in a medical practice (strains WS4601(T), WS4602) or a pharmaceutical clean room (strain WS4599), were characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and recA gene sequences of the three novel strains showed that they formed a distinct lineage within the genus Micrococcus, sharing 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.1-98.0 % with other species of this genus. Chemotaxonomic features also supported the classification of the three novel strains within the genus Micrococcus. The major cellular fatty acids of strain WS4601(T) were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0), the cell-wall peptidoglycan was of type A3α (L-Lys-L-Ala), and the predominant respiratory quinones were MK-7(H(2)) and MK-8(H(2)). The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, but no phosphatidylinositol. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.4 mol%. Numerous physiological properties were found that clearly distinguished strains WS4599, WS4601(T) and WS4602 from established members of the genus Micrococcus. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strains WS4599, WS4601(T) and WS4602 are considered to represent three different strains of a novel species of the genus Micrococcus, for which the name Micrococcus cohnii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WS4601(T) (=DSM 23974(T)=LMG 26183(T)).