New functional probiotic Lactobacillus sakei probio 65 alleviates atopic symptoms in the mouse.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the improvement of allergic dermatitis in chemical allergen-induced mice by Lactobacillus sakei probio 65. L. sakei probio-65 was isolated from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food. This strain was resistant to gastric acidity, bile, and several antibiotics and possessed antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic microorganisms. To investigate whether the probiotic activity of L. sakei probio 65 was effective for treating allergic dermatitis, the organism was supplied to mice triggered by allergen (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). Mice that received L. sakei probio 65 showed a more rapid recovery compared to control mice, as assessed by visual evaluation of the severity of allergic dermatitis and levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) E and interleukin (IL)-4. L. sakei probio 65 exhibited good probiotic properties in vitro and in mice and was effective in reducing allergen-induced skin inflammation through the regulation of both elevated IgE and IL-4 in sensitized mice.

Erythrobacter luteolus sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in Korea.

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, yellow-pigmented, slightly halophilic bacterial strain, SW-109(T), was isolated from a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. This isolate did not produce bacteriochlorophyll a and contained ubiquinone-10 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C(18 : 1)omega7c as the major fatty acid. The DNA G + C content was 60.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SW-109(T) is phylogenetically affiliated to the genus Erythrobacter of the family Sphingomonadaceae. Strain SW-109(T) exhibited levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Erythrobacter species of 94.0-96.3 %, making it possible to categorize strain SW-109(T) as a species that is separate from previously recognized Erythrobacter species. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, SW-109(T) (= KCTC 12311(T) = JCM 12599(T)) was classified as the type strain of a novel Erythrobacter species, for which the name Erythrobacter luteolus sp. nov. is proposed.

Isolation of Lactobacillus sakei strain KJ-2008 and its removal of characteristic malodorous gases under anaerobic culture conditions.

A number of different sources, such as composts, leachates, and pig feces samples were collected from different pig farms in Korea. Several microorganisms were screened for their ability to deodorize the malodorous gases. As a result, a novel malodorous gas-deodorizing bacterial strain KJ-2008 was isolated due to the most abundant of nitrate-supplemented minimal media under anaerobic conditions. Crimp-sealed serum bottles containing nitrate-supplemented minimal medium (MM-NO(3)(-)) in airtight conditions were inoculated with KJ-2008. Nitrate concentration decreased rapidly after 20 h incubation and nitrite production reached almost zero during the time the experimental was carried out. Taxonomic identification including 16S rDNA base sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate KJ-2008 had a 99.8% homology in its 16S rDNA base sequence with Lactobacillus sakei. Among the volatile fatty acids, acetic acid contained in large amounts in fresh piggery slurry decreased about 40% after 50 h incubation of the strain KJ-2008. n-Butyric acid, n-valeric acid, and iso-valeric acid gradually decreased, and iso-butyric acid and capronic acid dramatically eliminated at initial time with the treatment. Moreover, NH(3) removal efficiency reached a maximum of 98.5% after 50 h of incubation. The concentration of H(2)S did not change.

Psychrobacter jeotgali sp. nov., isolated from jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood.

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and moderately halophilic cocci (strains YKJ-103T and YKJ-105) were isolated from the traditional Korean fermented seafood, jeotgal. The two strains grew optimally at 25-30 degrees C and grew at 4 and 36 degrees C, but not above 37 degrees C. They grew in the presence of 0-10% (w/v) NaCl with an optimum of 2-3% (w/v) NaCl. Strains YKJ-103T and YKJ-105 were chemotaxonomically characterized by having ubiquinone-8 (0-8) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and C18:1omega9c as the major fatty acid. The polar lipid analysis indicated the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G + C contents of strains YKJ-103T and YKJ-105 were 44 and 43 mol%, respectively. Strains YKJ-103T and YKJ-105 showed no difference in their 16S rDNA sequences, and their mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness was 92.3%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that the two strains form a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the cluster comprising Psychrobacter species. Strains YKJ-103T and YKJ-105 exhibited 16S rDNA similarities of 96.6% with the type strain of Psychrobacter proteolyticus, the closest Psychrobacter species, and of 94.5-95.9% with type strains of other Psychrobacter species. On the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogenetic and genomic data, strains YKJ-103T and YKJ-105 should be placed in the genus Psychrobacter as members of a new species, for which the name Psychrobacter jeotgali sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the new species is strain YKJ-103T (=KCCM 41559T = JCM 11463T).

Halobacillus salinus sp. nov., isolated from a salt lake on the coast of the East Sea in Korea.

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming, halophilic bacterium (strain HSL-3(T)) was isolated from a salt lake near Hwajinpo beach on the East Sea in Korea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain HSL-3(T) grew optimally in the presence of 2-10% (w/v) NaCl. Strain HSL-3(T) showed poor growth in the absence of NaCl and grew in the presence of less than 23% NaCl. The cell wall peptidoglycan type of strain HSL-3(T) was A4beta based on L-Orn-D-Asp. The predominant menaquinone found in strain HSL-3(T) was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Strain HSL-3(T) had a cellular fatty acid profile containing large amounts of branched fatty acids; the major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0). The DNA G + C content of strain HSL-3(T) was 45 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strain HSL-3(T) falls within the radiation of the cluster comprising Halobacillus species. Strain HSL-3(T) exhibited levels of 16S rDNA similarity of 97.4-98.4% to the type strains of Halobacillus species. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain HSL-3(T) and the type strains of all validly named Halobacillus species were in the range 7.3-9.2%. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data and the genomic distinctiveness, strain HSL-3(T) (= KCCM 41590(T) = JCM 11546(T)) should be placed in the genus Halobacillus as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Halobacillus salinus sp. nov. is proposed.

Lentibacillus salicampi gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt field in Korea.

A Gram-variable, aerobic, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain, SF-20(T), which was isolated from a salt field in Korea, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells of this organism were motile by means of single flagella. Strain SF-20(T) grew optimally in the presence of 4-8% NaCl. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant menaquinone is MK-7. Strain SF-20(T) has a cellular fatty acid profile containing major amounts of branched fatty acids. The major fatty acids are anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0. The cellular phospholipids are phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the DNA is 44 mol%. Strain SF-20(T) is phylogenetically closely related to the genus Bacillus and some related genera and, particularly, formed a coherent cluster with the genera Salibacillus and Virgibacillus. The clustering fidelity between strain SF-20(T) and the cluster comprising these two genera was supported by bootstrap analysis at a confidence level of 67.2%. Strain SF-20(T) exhibited levels of 16S rDNA similarity of 93.0-94.7% to the genus Salibacillus and 94.0-94.1% to the genus Virgibacillus. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SF-20(T) should be classified in a novel genus and species, for which the name Lentibacillus salicampi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain SF-20(T) (= KCCM 41560(T) = JCM 11462(T)).

Erythrobacter aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from sea water of a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in Korea.

Three Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, slightly halophilic rods (strains SW-110(T), SW-116 and SW-140) were isolated from sea water of a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in Korea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The three isolates did not produce bacteriochlorophyll a and were characterized chemotaxonomically by having ubiquinone-10 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C(18 : 1)omega7c and C(17 : 1)omega6c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of the three isolates was between 62.2 and 62.9 mol%. Strains SW-110(T), SW-116 and SW-140 showed no difference in their 16S rRNA gene sequences, and their mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness was 94.8 %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the three strains form a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the cluster comprising Erythrobacter species. Similarities between the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains SW-110(T), SW-116 and SW-140 and the type strains of Erythrobacter species ranged from 98.4 % (with Erythrobacter longus) to 97.7 % (with Erythrobacter flavus). Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strains SW-110(T), SW-116 and SW-140 and the type strains of all recognized Erythrobacter species were in the range 5.3-12.7 %. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic data, strains SW-110(T), SW-116 and SW-140 were classified as a novel Erythrobacter species, for which the name Erythrobacter aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SW-110(T) (=KCCM 41818(T)=JCM 12189(T)).

Shewanella gaetbuli sp. nov., a slight halophile isolated from a tidal flat in Korea.

A Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped strain, TF-27(T) (=KCCM 41648(T)=JCM 11814(T)), was isolated from a tidal flat in Korea. This organism grew well at 25-35 degrees C, with optimum growth at 30 degrees C. Strain TF-27(T) grew optimally in the presence of 2 % NaCl; it did not grow without NaCl or in the presence of >8 % NaCl. Strain TF-27(T) simultaneously contained both menaquinones and ubiquinones as isoprenoid quinones. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-7 and Q-8. The major fatty acids in strain TF-27(T) were iso-C(15 : 0) (20.6 %) and iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)omega7c (21.1 %). The DNA G+C content of strain TF-27(T) was 42 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strain TF-27(T) falls within the radiation of the cluster that is encompassed by the genus Shewanella. Levels of 16S rDNA sequence similarity between strain TF-27(T) and the type strains of Shewanella species were 93.2-96.8 %. On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic data, strain TF-27(T) should be placed in the genus Shewanella as a novel species, for which the name Shewanella gaetbuli sp. nov. is proposed.

Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. and Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus sp. nov., isolated from the traditional Korean fermented seafood jeotgal.

Two Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, halotolerant and moderately halophilic cocci (strains YKJ-101T and YKJ-115T) were isolated from the traditional Korean fermented seafood jeotgal, and were investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences showed that strains YKJ-101T and YKJ-115T are most closely related to the cluster comprising two Salinicoccus species. The peptidoglycan type of the strains is A3alpha, based on L-Lys-Gly(3-4)-L-Ala(Gly), and the predominant menaquinone is MK-7. Strains YKJ-101T and YKJ-115T have cellular fatty acid profiles containing major amounts of saturated, unsaturated and branched fatty acids; the major fatty acids are anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The cellular polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified phospholipids. Strains YKJ-101T and YKJ-115T have identical DNA G + C contents of 42 mol%. The 16S rDNA similarity between strains YKJ-101T and YKJ-115T is 98% and the mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between the two strains is 13.4%. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data and genomic distinctiveness, it is proposed that strains YKJ-101T and YKJ-115T should be placed in a new genus, Jeotgalicoccus gen. nov., as two distinct new species, for which the names Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans sp. nov. and Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are YKJ-101T (=KCCM 41448T =JCM 11198T) and YKJ-115T (=KCCM 41449T =JCM 11199T), respectively.

Transfer of Pseudomonas elongata Humm 1946 to the genus Microbulbifer as Microbulbifer elongatus comb. nov.

Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences revealed that Pseudomonas elongata Humm 1946 is more closely related to the genus Microbulbifer than to authentic pseudomonads. The type strain of P. elongata (DSM 6810(T)) exhibited 16S rDNA similarity levels of 97.5 and 98.2 % to the type strains of Microbulbifer hydrolyticus and Microbulbifer salipaludis, respectively, but of less than approximately 92 % to Pseudomonas species with known 16S rDNA sequences. Respiratory lipoquinone and cellular fatty acid analyses showed that the type strain of P. elongata has characteristics similar to those of the genus Microbulbifer, not those of the genus Pseudomonas. P. elongata DSM 6810(T) contained ubiquinone-8 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and iso-C(15 : 0) as the major fatty acid. DNA-DNA relatedness data indicate that P. elongata is a species distinct from M. hydrolyticus and M. salipaludis. Therefore, on the basis of these data, P. elongata Humm 1946 should be transferred to the genus Microbulbifer as Microbulbifer elongatus comb. nov.

Halobacillus locisalis sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from a marine solar saltern of the Yellow Sea in Korea.

A Gram-positive, motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped halophilic bacterial strain MSS-155 (KCTC 3788 and KCCM 41687) was isolated from a marine solar saltern of the Yellow Sea in Korea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. This organism grew at temperature of 10.0-42.0 degrees C with an optimum of 35 degrees C. Strain MSS-155 grew optimally in the presence of 10% NaCl and did not grow in the absence of NaCl. The cell wall peptidoglycan type of strain MSS-155 was A4beta based on l-Orn- d-Asp. Strain MSS-155 was also characterized chemotaxonomically by having menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and anteiso-C15:0 as the major fatty acid. The DNA G + C content was 44.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strain MSS-155 falls within the radiation of the cluster comprising Halobacillus species. Levels of 16S rDNA sequence similarity between strain MSS-155 and the type strains of four Halobacillus species were in the range 97.6-98.8%. Strain MSS-155 exhibited levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of 6.2-11.2% to the type strains of Halobacillus species described previously. On the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogeny, and genomic data, strain MSS-155 should be placed in the genus Halobacillus as a member of a novel species, for which we propose the name Halobacillus locisalis sp. nov.

Erythrobacter flavus sp. nov., a slight halophile from the East Sea in Korea.

Two gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, yellow-pigmented and slightly halophilic strains (SW-46T and SW-52) were isolated from sea water of the East Sea, Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strains SW-46T and SW-52 were characterized chemotaxonomically by having ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C18:1 omega7c as the major fatty acid. Their DNA G + C content was 64.0-64.1 mol%. Strains SW-46T and SW-52 showed 1 bp difference in their 16S rDNA sequences and a mean DNA-DNA relatedness level of 94.4%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strains SW-46T and SW-52 fall within the alpha-subclass of the Proteobacteria and form a coherent cluster with Erythrobacter longus, Erythrobacter litoralis and Erythrobacter citreus. Levels of 16S rDNA similarity between strains SW-46T and SW-52 and the type strains of these three Erythrobacter species were 96.5-97.9%. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strains SW-46T and SW-52 and the type strains of E. longus, E. litoralis and E. citreus were 3.6-14.7%. Therefore, on the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogeny and genomic data, strains SW-46T and SW-52 should be placed in the genus Erythrobacter as a novel species, for which the name Erythrobacter flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SW-46T (= KCCM 41642T = JCM 11808T).

Planococcus maritimus sp. nov., isolated from sea water of a tidal flat in Korea.

Two Gram-positive, motile cocci, strains TF-9(T) and TF-16, were isolated from sea water of a tidal flat in Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that the strains fall within the radiation of the cluster comprising Planococcus citreus and Planococcus kocurii, and this cluster joined the clade comprising Planomicrobium species and Planococcus alkanoclasticus and Planococcus psychrophilus with a high bootstrap resampling value. Strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 contained MK-8, MK-7 and MK-6 as the predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acid was anteiso-C(15 : 0). The DNA G+C contents of strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 were respectively 48 and 49 mol%. The level of 16S rDNA identity between strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 was 98.9 %. Strain TF-9(T) and TF-16 respectively exhibited levels of 16S rDNA identity of 97.2-98.4 and 96.9-99.5 % to the type strains of Planococcus kocurii, Planococcus citreus and Planococcus antarcticus. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 was 36.7 %. Strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 respectively exhibited levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of 7.1-43.4 and 3.5-80.9 % to Planococcus citreus DSM 20549(T), Planococcus kocurii DSM 20747(T) and Planococcus antarcticus DSM 14505(T). On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data, strain TF-9(T) (=KCCM 41587(T)=JCM 11543(T)) should be placed as a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus maritimus sp. nov. is proposed, and strain TF-16 should be classified as a member of Planococcus citreus.

Paenibacillus chinjuensis sp. nov., a novel exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium.

A novel exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium (WN9T) was isolated from Chinju, Korea, and was identified as a member of the genus Paenibacillus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference based on 16S rDNA sequence. This organism is a facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming rod. The diamino acid found in the peptidoglycan is meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone is MK-7. The major cellular fatty acid is anteiso-C15:0. The G+C content is 53 mol%. The phylogenetic tree shows that strain WN9T falls within the radiation of a cluster comprising the Paenibacillus species. The levels of 16S rDNA similarity between strain WN9T and the type strains of validly described Paenibacillus species are 92.1-95.8%. Strain WN9T is clearly distinguishable from some phylogenetically related Paenibacillus species on the basis of DNA-DNA relatedness data and phenotypic characters. Therefore, on the basis of these data, a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, Paenibacillus chinjuensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is strain WN9T (= KCTC 8951PT = JCM 10939T).

Microbulbifer salipaludis sp. nov., a moderate halophile isolated from a Korean salt marsh.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, moderately halophilic rod (strain SM-1T) was isolated from salt marsh around the junction of the Youngsan River and the Yellow Sea in Korea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. This organism grew optimally at 37 degrees C and was able to grow at 10 and 45 degrees C. It grew optimally in the presence of 2-3% (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids in strain SM-1T were iso-C15:0 and C16:0. Strain SM-1T and Microbulbifer hydrolyticus DSM 11525T were characterized by having ubiquinone-8 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone. The DNA G+C content of strain SM-1T was 59 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strain SM-1T formed a coherent cluster with M. hydrolyticus; this relationship was supported by a bootstrap resampling value of 100%. The level of 16S rDNA identity between strain SM-1T and the type strain of M. hydrolyticus was 98.6%. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SM-1T and the type strain of M. hydrolyticus was 20.6%. Therefore, on the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogeny and genomic data, strain SM-1T should be placed in the genus Microbulbifer as a member of a novel species, for which the name Microbulbifer salipaludis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel species is strain SM-1T (=KCCM 41586T =JCM 11542T).

Paenibacillus kribbensis sp. nov. and Paenibacillus terrae sp. nov., bioflocculants for efficient harvesting of algal cells.

Two strains of Gram-variable, rod-shaped, endospore-forming, peritrichously flagellated, rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from a soil sample collected in Taejon City, Korea. The two strains (AM49T and AM141T) were found to be members of the genus Paenibacillus, on the basis of the results of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses. Strains AM49T and AM141T were found to have a cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid, MK-7 as their predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C15:0 as their major fatty acid. The DNA G + C contents of strains AM49T and AM141T were 48 and 47 mol%, respectively. The two strains formed distinct phylogenetic lineages within the radiation of the cluster comprising Paenibacillus spp. and a coherent cluster with Paenibacillus jamilae, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Paenibacillus azotofixans and Paenibacillus peoriae. The level of 16S rDNA similarity between strains AM49T and AM141T was 97.6%, and 16S rDNA similarity values between strains AM49T and AM141T and the type strains of other Paenibacillus spp. ranged from 90.3 to 98.7%. Levels of DNA-DNA similarity between the two strains and members of the genus Paenibacillus indicated that strains AM49T and AM141T were distinguishable from each other and from four phylogenetically related Paenibacillus spp. Therefore, on the basis of their phenotypic properties, phylogeny and genomic distinctiveness, it is proposed that strains AM49T and AM141T be placed in the genus Paenibacillus as two distinct novel species, Paenibacillus kribbensis (AM49T =KCTC 0766BPT =JCM 11465T) and Paenibacillus terrae (AM141T =KCCM 41557T =JCM 11466T).

Bacillus hwajinpoensis sp. nov. and an unnamed Bacillus genomospecies, novel members of Bacillus rRNA group 6 isolated from sea water of the East Sea and the Yellow Sea in Korea.

Two Gram-positive or -variable, endospore-forming, slightly halophilic strains (SW-72(T) and SW-93) were isolated from sea water of the East Sea and the Yellow Sea in Korea, respectively, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic study. Both strains had cell-wall peptidoglycan that was based on meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The two strains contained large amounts of saturated and branched fatty acids, with anteiso-C(15 : 0) as the major fatty acid. The DNA G+C contents of strains SW-72(T) and SW-93 were 40.9 and 41.0 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strains SW-72(T) and SW-93 fall within the radiation of the cluster that comprises members of the genus Bacillus, particularly Bacillus rRNA group 6. There were five nucleotide differences between the 16S rDNA sequences of strains SW-72(T) and SW-93. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strains SW-72(T) and SW-93 was 21.5 %. Strains SW-72(T) and SW-93 showed 93.1-95.2 % 16S rDNA sequence similarity to the type strains of Bacillus species that are assigned to rRNA group 6. Strains SW-72(T) and SW-93 could not be differentiated clearly by using their phenotypic properties. On the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogeny and genomic data, it is proposed that strain SW-72(T) (=KCCM 41641(T)=JCM 11807(T)) should be placed in the genus Bacillus as the type strain of a novel species, Bacillus hwajinpoensis sp. nov., and that strain SW-93 (=KCCM 41640=JCM 11806) should be placed in the genus Bacillus as an unnamed Bacillus genomospecies.

Marinobacter litoralis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from sea water from the East Sea in Korea.

A Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and moderately halophilic rod-shaped strain, SW-45T, was isolated from sea water of the East Sea in Korea. The organism grew optimally at 30-37 degrees C and grew at 4 and 46 degrees C. It grew in the presence of 0.5-18% (v/w) NaCl, with an optimum of 2-7% NaCl. Strain SW-45T was chemotaxonomically characterized by having ubiquinone-9 (Q-9) as the major respiratory lipoquinone and C16 : 0, C18 : 1omega9c and C16 : 1omega9c as the predominant fatty acids. The DNA G + C content was found to be 55 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strain SW-45T forms a coherent cluster with the clade comprising the two Marinobacter species. 16S rDNA sequence similarities between strain SW-45T and the Marinobacter species was 94.9% to Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus DSM 8798T and 95.3% to Marinobacter aquaeolei DSM 11845T. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SW-45T and the type strains of M. hydrocarbonoclasticus and M. aquaeolei were respectively 4.3 and 5.5%. On the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogeny and genomic data, strain SW-45T (=KCCM 41591T =JCM 11547T) should be placed in the genus Marinobacter as a member of a novel species, for which the name Marinobacter litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. As part of this study, the major respiratory lipoquinone of M. hydrocarbonoclasticus and M. aquaeolei was also found to be Q-9.

Bacillus marisflavi sp. nov. and Bacillus aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from sea water of a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in Korea.

Two Gram-positive or Gram-variable, endospore-forming, moderately halophilic rods (strains TF-11(T) and TF-12(T)) were isolated from a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in Korea and were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strains TF-11(T) and TF-12(T) had cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone found in the two strains was MK-7. The cellular fatty acid profiles of both strains contained large amounts of branched and saturated fatty acids. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). The DNA G+C contents of strains TF-11(T) and TF-12(T) were respectively 49 and 38 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strains TF-11(T) and TF-12(T) fell within the radiation of the cluster comprising Bacillus species. The level of 16S rDNA sequence similarity between strains TF-11(T) and TF-12(T) was 98.3 %. Strains TF-11(T) and TF-12(T) exhibited levels of 16S rDNA sequence similarity of less than 96.0 and 96.3 %, respectively, to Bacillus species. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between the two strains was approximately 7 %. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data and genomic distinctiveness, strains TF-11(T) and TF-12(T) should be placed in the genus Bacillus as two distinct novel species, for which the names Bacillus marisflavi sp. nov. (type strain TF-11(T)=KCCM 41588(T)=JCM 11544(T)) and Bacillus aquimaris sp. nov. (type strain TF-12(T)=KCCM 41589(T)=JCM 11545(T)) are proposed.

Alteromonas marina sp. nov., isolated from sea water of the East Sea in Korea.

Two Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and moderately halophilic rods (strains SW-47(T) and SW-49) were isolated from sea water of the East Sea in Korea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The two strains grew optimally between 30 and 37 degrees C, and grew at 4 and 44 degrees C but not at temperatures above 45 degrees C. They grew optimally in the presence of 2-5 % (w/v) NaCl, but did not grow in the absence of NaCl. Strains SW-47(T) and SW-49 had ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C(16 : 1) omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2OH, C(16 : 0) and C(18 : 1) omega7c as the major fatty acids, which are consistent with the corresponding data for Alteromonas macleodii. The DNA G+C contents of strains SW-47(T) and SW-49 were 45 and 44 mol%, respectively. Strains SW-47(T) and SW-49 showed a high level of 16S rDNA sequence similarity (99.9 %) and a mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness of 96.5 %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that the two strains form a coherent cluster with A. macleodii. Strains SW-47(T) and SW-49 exhibited levels of 16S rDNA sequence similarity of 99.3 and 99.1 %, respectively, with A. macleodii DSM 6062(T) and of less than 89.4 % with other species used in the phylogenetic analyses. Alteromonas fuliginea CIP 105339(T) was found to be more closely related to the genus Pseudoalteromonas than to the genus ALTEROMONAS: On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genomic data, strains SW-47(T) and SW-49 represent a new species of the genus Alteromonas, for which the name Alteromonas marina (type strain SW-47(T)=KCCM 41638(T)=JCM 11804(T)) is proposed.