Abstract
We observed activation of growth with six aerobic spore-forming isolates on an otherwise nonpermissive medium when a carbon material, such as graphite or activated charcoal, was added to the medium (Bacto Antibiotic Medium 3). On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and physiological and biochemical properties of these organisms and DNA homology data we concluded that they belong to a new Bacillus species, which is designated Bacillus carboniphilus. Strain Kasumi 6 (= JCM 9731) is the type strain of this new species.