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Isolation and characterization of Cytophaga flevensis sp. nov., a new agarolytic flexibacterium

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Abstract

The occurrence of agarolytic microorganisms in a variety of natural environments was investigated using enrichment culture techniques. From samples taken from the IJsselmeer, and adjacent areas in the central part of The Netherlands a new agarolytic flexibacterium was isolated. Enrichments inoculated with samples from other sources were unsuccessful.

The yellow-pigmented organism exhibits gliding motility, but spreading was only occasionally detected. Since neither fruiting bodies nor microcysts were observed, the organism was placed into the genus Cytophaga and designated as Cytophaga flevensis sp. nov. The occurrence of this species is probably restricted to the IJsselmeer, a fresh-water lake that was in open contact with the North Sea until 1932, and some other lakes which are in direct contact with the IJsselmeer. The organism utilizes only carbohydrates as a carbon and energy source for growth and is strictly aerobic. When the organism is grown on agar, on its components or on melibiose, an extracellular agarase is produced. This enzyme is highly specific for polysaccharides containing neoagarobiose units and hydrolyzes neoagaro-oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization of more than four.

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  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 8100, Haren, The Netherlands

    H. J. van der Meulen, W. Harder & H. Veldkamp

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  1. H. J. van der Meulen
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  2. W. Harder
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  3. H. Veldkamp
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van der Meulen, H.J., Harder, W. & Veldkamp, H. Isolation and characterization of Cytophaga flevensis sp. nov., a new agarolytic flexibacterium. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 40, 329–346 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00399345

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