Summary auto-generated
Researchers isolated strain K11T from activated sludge at a municipal wastewater-treatment plant in Munich, Germany. Phylogenetic and phenotypic characterization revealed it as a novel gram-negative, non-motile rod within the family Comamonadaceae (beta-proteobacteria). The strain is distinguishable by its unique fatty acid profile containing significant amounts of both 10:0 3-OH and 12:0 2-OH hydroxylated fatty acids. A notable characteristic is its facultative anaerobic growth using nitrate and nitrite as electron acceptors, with N2O as the sole denitrification end product—making it the first such bacterium isolated from activated sludge. Under aerobic conditions, it exhibits chemolithoheterotrophic capability with thiosulfate as a cosubstrate, which is oxidized to sulfate. Based on these findings, the authors propose Ottowia thiooxydans gen. nov., sp. nov. as the designation. The article also reclassifies Aquaspirillum gracile, the phylogenetically closest relative, into a new genus as Hylemonella gracilis gen. nov., comb. nov.
Key findings
- Novel bacterium Ottowia thiooxydans isolated from activated sludge, representing a distinct lineage within Comamonadaceae family of beta-proteobacteria
- Unique trait of producing N2O as sole end product of denitrification, distinguishing it from most other denitrifying bacteria that produce N2 or NO2
- Capable of aerobic chemolithoheterotrophic growth with thiosulfate as cosubstrate, oxidizing it to sulfate, which could be valuable for differentiating related taxa
- Distinctive fatty acid composition with significant amounts of both 10:0 3-OH and 12:0 2-OH hydroxylated fatty acids unique among known Comamonadaceae members
- Reclassification of Aquaspirillum gracile to Hylemonella gracilis gen. nov., comb. nov. based on phylogenetic evidence of distant relationship to type species
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Abstract
1 DSMZ Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
2 Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 (IFZ), D-35392 Giessen, Germany
3 Abteilung für Mikrobielle Ökologie, Institut für Ökologie und Naturschutz (IECB), Universität Wien, Althanstr. 14, A-1090 Wien, Austria