Isolation and characterization of a new type of aerobic, oxalic acid utilizing bacteria, and proposal of Oxalicibacterium flavum gen. nov., sp nov.

Abstract

A mesophilic, aerobic oxalic acid utilizing yellow-pigmented bacterium has been isolated from litter of oxalate producing plants in the region of Izmir (Turkey). It is motile by means of 1-3 polar flagella. Optimal growth occurred between 25-30 degreesC at pH 6,9. The G+C content of DNA is 62-64 mol % (T-m). Based on its morphological and biochemical features the organism belongs to the genus Pseudomonas, but differs from all the previously described species. The taxonomic relationships among strains described as or previously tentatively assigned to the genus Pseudomonas were investigated using numerical classification, DNA base composition and DNA-DNA hybridization. 16S rDNA sequences were determined for the strain TA17. On the basis of 16S rDNA sequence comparisons, physiological and biochemical characteristics, it is proposed to classify TA17(T) in a new genus and species for which the name Oxalicibacterium flavum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TA17(T) (=NEU98(T), = LMG 21571(T)).