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Isolation and characterization of Methanocorpusculum parvum, gen. nov., spec. nov., a new tungsten requiring, coccoid methanogen

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Abstract

A new mesophilic, monotrichously flagellated methane-producing coccus of ≦1μm in diameter was isolated from an anaerobic sour whey digester, originally inoculated with sewage sludge. Growth and methane production were observed with H2/CO2, formate and — less effectively — with 2-propanol/CO2. The isolate grew at temperatures between 15° C and 45° C with the optimum at around 37° C. Acetate, yeast extract and tungstate were required in the medium. Clarified rumen fluid stimulated growth.

The DNA of the new methanogen has a G+C content of 48.5 mol%. Comparative 16 S rRNA oligonucleotide cataloguing allows to define the new isolate as a member of a new genus of the order Methanomicrobiales. Further evidence for this is provided by the antigenic crossreactivity with anti-S probes and by metabolic features.

Because of its small size the new methanogen is named Methanocorpusculum parvum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Universität Regensburg, D-8400, Regensburg, Germany

    G. Zellner & J. Winter

  2. Institut für Allgemeine Mikrobiologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, D-2300, Kiel, Germany

    C. Alten & E. Stackebrandt

  3. Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, 12201, Albany, NY, USA

    E. Conway de Macario

Authors
  1. G. Zellner
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  2. C. Alten
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  3. E. Stackebrandt
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  4. E. Conway de Macario
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  5. J. Winter
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This work was supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG to J. W. and E. S. Immunologic studies were supported in part by grants No. DE-FGO2-84 R 13197 from the U.S. Department of Energy, and No. 261.81/82 from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

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Zellner, G., Alten, C., Stackebrandt, E. et al. Isolation and characterization of Methanocorpusculum parvum, gen. nov., spec. nov., a new tungsten requiring, coccoid methanogen. Arch. Microbiol. 147, 13–20 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00492898

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00492898

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