Sphingobacterium faecale sp. nov., a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase producing bacterium isolated from camel faeces.

An investigation of the diversity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase producing bacteria associated with camel faeces revealed the presence of a novel bacterial strain designated C459-1T. It was Gram-stain-negative, short-rod-shaped and non-motile. Strain C459-1T was observed to grow optimally at 35 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 0 % NaCl on Luria-Bertani agar medium. The cells were found to be positive for catalase and oxidase activities. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one sphingophospholipid, two unknown aminophospholipids, three unknown glycolipids and five unknown lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain C459-1T was affiliated with the genus Sphingobacterium and had the highest sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium tabacisoli h337T (97.0 %) and Sphingobacterium paucimobilis HER1398T (95.6 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain C459-1T and S. tabacisoli h337T were 83.8 and 33.8 %, respectively. Phenotypic characteristics including enzyme activities and carbon source utilization differentiated strain C459-1T from other Sphingobacterium species. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain C459-1T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium faecale sp. nov. is proposed, with strain is C459-1T (CGMCC 1.18716T=KCTC 82381T) as the type strain.

Sphingobacterium micropteri sp. nov. and Sphingobacterium litopenaei sp. nov., isolated from aquaculture water.

Two novel bacterial strains, designated as DN00404T and DN04309T, were isolated from aquaculture water and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strains DN00404T and DN04309T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, oxidase-positive and catalase-positive. Cells of DN00404T were short rod-shaped and those of DN04309T were long rod-shaped. Strain DN00404T was found to grow at 15-37 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0 %). Strain DN04309T was found to grow at 15-45 °C (optimum, 20-37 °C), at pH 5.5-11.0 (optimum, 7.5) and in 0-4.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences revealed that the two strains belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and were distinct from all known species of this genus. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains and between each of the two strains and related type strains of this genus were well below the recognized thresholds of 95.0-96.0 % ANI and 70.0 % dDDH for species delineation. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains DN00404T and DN04309T were 41.6 and 36.0 mol%, respectively. The respiratory quinone in both strains was identified as MK-7, and their major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), which were similar to those of other species of this genus. The two major fatty acids C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH were also found in strain DN00404T. Based on genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, two novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium are proposed: Sphingobacterium micropteri sp. nov. with DN00404T (=GDMCC 1.1865T=KACC 21924T) as the type strain and Sphingobacterium litopenaei sp. nov. with DN04309T (=GDMCC 1.1984T=KCTC 82348T) as the type strain.

Sphingobacterium hungaricum sp. nov. a novel species on the borderline of the genus Sphingobacterium.

A Gram-reaction-negative bacterial strain, designated Kb22T, was isolated from agricultural soil and characterized using a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain shows highest similarity (94.39 %) to Sphingobacterium nematocida M-SX103T. The highest average nucleotide identity value (71.83 %) was found with Sphingobacterium composti T5-12T, and the highest amino acid identity value (66.65 %) was found with Sphingobacterium olei HAL-9T. Cells are aerobic, non-motile rods. The isolate was found to be positive for catalase and oxidase tests. The assembled genome of strain Kb22T has a total length of 4,06 Mb, the DNA G+C content is 38.1 mol%. The only isoprenoid quinone is menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids are iso-C15:0 (28.4%), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH) (25.7 %) and iso-C17:0 3-OH (19.7 %). Based on phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic results, it is concluded that strain Kb22T is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and represents a novel species for which the name Sphingobacterium hungaricum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is strain Kb22T (=LMG 31574T=NCAIM B.02638T).

Sphingobacterium rhinopitheci sp. Nov., isolated from the faeces of Rhinopithecus bieti in China.

A novel bacterium, WQ 047T, was isolated from the faeces of Rhinopithecus bieti, a highly endangered primate endemic to China. The cells were aerobic, oval/rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, catalase positive, and produced yellow pigmented colonies on Columbia Agar. The taxonomic position of WQ 047T was clarified by applying a polyphasic study based on 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis, extensive biological typing, and whole genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that stain WQ 047T belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and its 16S rRNA gene sequence exhibited 96.47% pairwise similarity with that of the closest relatives Sphingobacterium nematocida M-SX103T. The calculated whole genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strain WQ 047T and strain M-SX103 was 72.3%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of strain WQ 047T and M-SX103T was 15.73%, which was obtained by calculating the genome-to-genome distance. The major fatty acids were C15:0 iso, C17:0 iso 3-OH, Summed Feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c) and Summed feature 9 (iso-C17:1ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16:0). The predominant polar lipids were PE, PL and APL. MK-7 was the predominant menaquinone. The G + C content of WQ 047T was 34.89 mol% according to genome analysis. All these characteristics were consistent with those of the genus of Sphingobacterium. Therefore, based on these results, we propose a novel species for which the name Sphingobacterium rhinopitheci sp. Nov. is proposed, with the type strain WQ 047T (= CCTCC AA 2020026T = KCTC82393T).

Sphingobacterium phlebotomi sp. nov., a new member of family Sphingobacteriaceae isolated from sand fly rearing substrate.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated type strain SSI9T, was isolated from sand fly (Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli; Diptera: Psychodidae) rearing substrate and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Strain SSI9T contained phosphatidylethanolamine as a major polar lipid, MK-7 as the predominant quinone, and C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that SSI9T represents a member of the genus Sphingobacterium, of the family Sphingobacteriaceae sharing 96.5-88.0 % sequence similarity with other species of the genus Sphingobacterium. The results of multilocus sequence analysis using the concatenated sequences of the housekeeping genes recA, rplC and groL indicated that SSI9T formed a separate branch in the genus Sphingobacterium. The genome of SSI9T is 5 197 142 bp with a DNA G+C content of 41.8 mol% and encodes 4395 predicted coding sequences, 49 tRNAs, and three complete rRNAs and two partial rRNAs. SSI9T could be distinguished from other species of the genus Sphingobacterium with validly published names by several phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic characteristics. On the basis of the results of this polyphasic taxonomic analysis, the bacterial isolate represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium phlebotomi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SSI9T (=ATCC TSD-210T=LMG 31664T=NRRL B-65603T).

Sphingobacterium lumbrici sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from wormcast of Eisenia foetida.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, yellowish bacterium, designated strain 1.3611T, was isolated from the wormcast of Eisenia foetida. The strain grew optimally at 30-37 ℃, at pH 7.0 and with 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses, strain 1.3611T showed the highest degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium olei HAL-9T (97.0 %), followed by Sphingobacterium alkalisoli Y3L14T (95.8 %). The respiratory quinone of strain 1.3611T was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and its major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (41.3 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c, 22.1 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (16.2 %). The major polar lipids were sphingophospholipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and five unidentified polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the genomes of strain 1.3611T and S. olei HAL-9T were 37.9 and 88.9 %, respectively. According to the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic phylogenetic results, strain 1.3611T should represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium lumbrici sp. nov. is proposed, with strain 1.3611T (=KCTC 62980T=CCTCC AB 2018349T) as the type strain.

An alkali-tolerant phospholipase D from Sphingobacterium thalpophilum 2015: Gene cloning, overproduction and characterization.

The phospholipase pl-S.t gene of Sphingobacterium thalpophilum 2015 was cloned and the gene sequence was submitted to NCBI with Accession Number KX674735.1. The phylogenetic analysis showed that this PL-S.t was clustered to phospholipase D (PLD). As far as we know, the PL-S.t with a molecular mass of 22.5 kDa is the lowest of the currently purified bacterial PLDs, which belongs to a non-HKD PLD enzyme. This PL-S.t was resistant to a wide range of alkali pHs (7.5-9.0) after 1 h incubation, retaining more than 90% of its maximum activity. The PL-S.t activity can be enhanced by Ni2+, Co2+ and Mn2+. This PL-S.t has only one cysteine residue and fewer negatively-charged amino acids (AAs). The hydrogen bonds network was found around the cystein108, which may be beneficial to the stability and activity of PL-S.t in Ni2+ solution. This study has laid the foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of the catalytic characteristics of low molecular weight alkalic PLD from S. thalpophilum 2015.

Sphingobacterium endophyticum sp. nov., a novel endophyte isolated from halophyte.

A bacterial strain designated NYYP31T was isolated from the leaves of an annual halophytes, Suaeda corniculata Bunge, collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, north-west China. Strain NYYP31T was Gram-staining negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and non-spore-forming. Growth was observed at 4-42 °C, at pH 5.0-10.0, in the presence of up to 8% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters showed that strain NYYP31T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain NYYP31T was most closely related to the type strain of Sphingobacterium daejeonense (97.9%) and Sphingobacterium lactis (97.7%). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids, three unidentified amino phospholipids, and two unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G + C content was 36.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values for strain NYYP31T to the type strains of S. daejeonense and S. lactis were 77.9 and 74.1%, respectively, which were below the cut-off level (95-96%) for species delineation. Based on the above results, strain NYYP31T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NYYP31T (= CGMCC 1.16979T = NBRC 114258T).

Sphingobacterium cavernae sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from soil sampled at Tiandong Cave.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 5.0403-2T, was isolated from a cave soil sample collected from Tiandong Cave, Guizhou Province, south-west PR China. Cells showed positive oxidase and catalase reactions. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), iso-C17 : 0 3OH and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c or C16 : 0 10-methyl). The cellular polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified phosphoglycolipids and four unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 5.0403-2T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain 5.0403-2T was most similar to Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685T (98.7 %), Sphingobacterium composti KCTC 12578T (98.0 %) and Sphingobacterium alimentarium DSM 22362T (97.3 %) and less than 95.0 % similar to other species of the genus Sphingobacterium. The average nucleotide identity values between strain 5.0403-2T and S. bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685T, S. composti KCTC 12578T and S. alimentarium DSM 22362T were 94.2, 82.3 and 77.2 % respectively. The digitalDNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 5.0403-2T and S. bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685T, S. composti KCTC 12578T and S. alimentarium DSM 22362T were 68.4, 25.6 and 20.7 %. These results indicated that the isolate represented a novel genomic species. The polyphasic taxonomic characteristics indicated that strain 5.0304-2T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium cavernae sp. nov. (type strain 5.0403-2T=KCTC 62981T=CCTCC AB 2019257T) is proposed.

Sphingobacterium olei sp. nov., isolated from oil-contaminated soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and non-spore-forming bacterium, designated HAL-9T, was isolated from oil-contaminated soil in Daqing oilfield, Heilongjiang Province, PR China. Strain HAL-9T was able to degrade quizalofop-p-ethyl and diclofop-methyl. Growth was observed at 10-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and salinity of 0 %-5.0 % (w/v; optimum 1.0 %). The results of phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain HAL-9T belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed the highest sequence similarity (98.3 %) to Sphingobacterium alkalisoli Y3L14T, followed by Sphingobacterium mizutaii DSM 11724T (95.1 %) and Sphingobacterium lactis DSM 22361T (95.1 %). Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the only isoprenoid quinone. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), iso-C15: 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, three phosphoglycolipids and three unidentified lipids. The draft genome of strain HAL-9T was 5.41 Mb. The G+C content of strain HAL-9T was 40.6 mol%. Furthermore, the average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain HAL-9T and S. alkalisoli Y3L14T were 86.2 % and 32.8 %, respectively, which were below the standard thresholds for species differentiation. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, strain HAL-9T represents a novel species in the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium olei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HAL-9T (=ACCC 61581T=CCTCC AB 2019176T=KCTC 72287T).

Sphingobacterium praediipecoris sp. nov. isolated from effluent of a dairy manure treatment plant.

A novel Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated as strain G2-10T was isolated from effluent of a dairy manure treatment plant. Growth occurred at 20-40 °C (optimum at 25-30 °C), pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum at pH 7.0). The range of NaCl concentration for growth was between 0% and 3% (w/v) (optimum 0-1%, w/v). Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain G2-10T was moderately related to the type strains of Sphingobacterium nematocida M-SX103T and Sphingobacterium suaedae T47T with a pair-wise sequence similarity of 94.3% and 94.0%, respectively. The major fatty acid constituents of strain G2-10T were identified as iso-C15:0 (37.6%), summed feature 3 (consisting of C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c, 29.6%) and iso-C17:0 3-OH (15.2%). Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipids of strain G2-10T. Sphingophospholipids were present. The isoprenoid quinone was composed of only MK-7. The DNA G + C content of strain G2-10T was found to be 42.5 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain G2-10T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium praediipecoris is proposed. The type strain is G2-10T (= KCTC 52880T = NBRC 112848T).

Sphingobacterium terrae sp. nov., isolated from oil-contaminated soil.

A cream-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Brt-FT, was isolated from oil-contaminated soil. Strain Brt-FT was able to grow from 15 to 45 °C, pH 6.5-10.5 and 0-4.5 % (w/v) NaCl concentration. This strain was taxonomically characterized by a polyphasic approach. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Brt-FT represented a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and shared highest sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium chuzhouense DH-5T (99.4 %); Sphingobacterium gobiense H7T (95.7 %) and Sphingobacterium arenae H-12T (94.3 %). The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine and the predominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0, and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 43.4 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain Brt-FT and S. chuzhouense KCTC 42746T was 35.7 %, which falls below the threshold value of 70 % for the strain to be considered as novel. The morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguished this strain from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Thus, strain Brt-FT represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Brt-FT (=KEMB 9005-691T=KACC 19392T=JCM 32159T).

Sphingobacterium tabacisoli sp. nov., isolated from a tobacco field soil sample.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain h337T, was isolated from an arable soil sample of a tobacco field in Kunming, south-west China. The cells showed oxidase-positive and catalase-positive reactions. Growth was observed at 10-35 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and with 1-2 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B). The cellular polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingophospholipid, four unidentified phospholipids, five unidentified lipids and three unidentified aminophospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain h337T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain h337T was most closely related to 'Sphingobacteriumyamdrokense' 3-0-1 (98.8 %) and Sphingobacteriumyanglingense CCNWSP36-1T (98.5 %) and shared less than 97 % similarity with other species of the genus Sphingobacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization data indicated that the isolate represented a novel genomic species belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium. The characteristics determined in this polyphasic taxonomic study indicated that strain h337T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium tabacisoli sp. nov. (type strain h337T=KCTC 52298T=CCTCC AB 2017155T) is proposed.

Sphingobacteriumsoli sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated YIM X0211T, was isolated from a soil sample of Shiling County, Yunnan Province, south-west China. The new isolate was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0 and with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. It was positive for catalase and oxidase but negative for H2S production. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM X0211T fell within the cluster comprising Sphingobacterium species and clustered with Sphingobacterium mizutaii DSM 11724T (97.93 % similarity). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipid, and several unknown phospholipids or lipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain YIM X0211T and S. mizutaii DSM 11724T was 42.3±0.4 %, which is below the 70 % limit for species delineation. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain YIM X0211T to the genus Sphingobacterium. Based on the recorded phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is determined that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM X0211T (=KCTC 42696T=CGMCC 1.15966T).

Sphingobacterium cibi sp. nov., isolated from the food-waste compost and emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum (Holmes et al. 1982) Yabuuchi et al. 1983 and Sphingobacteriumthermophilum Yabe et al. 2013.

A novel, pale yellow-coloured, Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated as strain CC-YY411T, was isolated from the food-waste compost and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-YY411T exhibited the highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium thermophilum JCM 17858T (94.6 %) while sharing 94.1 to 89.7 % similarities with other Sphingobacterium species. Novel strain established a discrete phylogenetic lineage within the clade that accommodated validly established members of the genus Sphingobacterium. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YY411T contained major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified aminolipids besides accommodating trace amounts of a sphingolipid, two phospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-YY411T was 34.5 mol%. The major and minor respiratory quinones were MK-7 (89.1 %) and MK-6 (10.9 %), respectively. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (24.0 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (11.9 %), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (6.9 %), C15 : 1ω5c (5.5 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (32.0 %). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-YY411T represents a novel species of Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumcibi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YY411T (=BCRC 80430T=JCM 18407T). Amended species descriptions of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum(Holmes et al. 1982) Yabuuchi et al. 1983 and Sphingobacterium thermophilum Yabe et al. 2013 are also proposed based on new data obtained in this study.

Sphingobacterium jejuense sp. nov., with ginsenoside-converting activity, isolated from compost.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, light yellow, short-rod bacterium (designated GJ30-7T) isolated from compost, was characterized using a polyphasic approach, in order to clarify its taxonomic position. Strain GJ30-7T was observed to grow optimally at 30 °C and at pH 7.0 on R2A agar medium. Strain Gsoil GJ30-7T possessed ß-glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc (the two main active components of ginseng) to ginsenoside F2. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, indicated that GJ30-7T belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium of the family Sphingobacteriaceae and was most closely related to Sphingobacterium yanglingense JCM 30166T (92.6 %), Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum KACC 18188T (92.6 %), and Sphingobacterium thermophilum KCTC 23708T (92.0 %). The DNA G+C content was 43 mol% and MK-7 was the major isoprenoid quinone. The main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospolipid and one unknown polar lipid. In contrast to standard and reference strains, unidentified sphingolipid was also present. The predominant fatty acids of strain GJ30-7T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3) and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl (summed feature 9), supporting the affiliation of strain GJ30-7T to the genus Sphingobacterium. However, strain GJ30-7T could be distinguished genotypically and phenotypically from species of the genus Sphingobacterium with validly published names. The novel isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium jejuense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain GJ30-7T (=KACC 18625T=JCM 30948T).

Sphingobacterium pakistanensis sp. nov., a novel plant growth promoting rhizobacteria isolated from rhizosphere of Vigna mungo.

The taxonomic status of a bacterium, strain NCCP-246(T), isolated from rhizosphere of Vigna mungo, was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain NCCP-246(T) can grow at 16-37 °C (optimum 32 °C), at pH ranges of 6-8 (optimum growth occurs at pH 7) and in 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based upon on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain NCCP-246(T) belonged to genus Sphingobacterium. Strain NCCP-246(T) showed highest similarity to the type strain of Sphingobacterium canadense CR11(T) (97.67 %) and less than 97 % with other species of the genus. The DNA-DNA relatedness value of strain NCCP-246(T) with S. canadense CR11(T) and Sphingobacterium thalpophilum JCM 21153(T) was 55 and 44.4 %, respectively. The chemotaxonomic data revealed the major menaquinone as MK-7 and dominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 [C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c] (37.07 %), iso-C15:0 (28.03 %), C16:0 (11.85 %), C17:0 cyclo (8.84 %) and C14:0 (2.42 %). The G+C content of the strain was 39.2 mol%. On the basis of DNA-DNA hybridization, phylogenetic analyses, physiological and, biochemical data, strain NCCP-246(T) can be differentiated from the validly named members of genus Sphingobacterium and thus represents as a new species, for which the name, Sphingobacterium pakistanensis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain NCCP-246(T) (= JCM18974 (T) = KCTC 23914(T)).

Sphingobacterium ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., a bacterium with ginsenoside-converting activity isolated from the soil of a ginseng field.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, and rod-shaped bacterium designated THG 07(T) was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field of Pocheon in South Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Strain THG 07(T) grew optimally at 25-30°C and at pH 6.5-7.0 and in the absence of NaCl on nutrient agar. Strain THG-T17(T) displayed ß-glucosidase activity that was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenoside Rb1 (one of the dominant ginsenosides of ginseng) to compound C-K. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain THG 07(T) was shown to belong to the family Sphingobacteriaceae and was related to Sphingobacterium canadense CR11(T) (98.7%), S. cladoniae No.6(T) (98.1%), S. detergens 6.2S(T) (98.0%), S. multivorum IAM14316(T) (97.9%), S. siyangense SY1(T) (97.8%) and S. thalpophilum DSM11723(T) (96.9%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.6 mol%. The major menaquinone, MK-7, and major fatty acids, iso-C15:0 and C16:1 ω7c and/or ω6c, supported the affiliation of strain THG 07(T) to the genus Sphingobacterium. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG 07(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbors were below 26.9%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests enabled strain THG 07(T) to be differentiated phenotypically from the recognized species of the genus Sphingobacterium. Therefore the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain THG 07(T) (=KACC 14526(T)=JCM 16722(T)).

The first Korean case of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum bacteremia in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia.

Sphingobacterium spiritivorum has been rarely isolated from clinical specimens of immunocompromised patients, and there have been no case reports of S. spiritivorum infection in Korea to our knowledge. We report a case of S. spiritivorum bacteremia in a 68-yr-old woman, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and subsequently received chemotherapy. One day after chemotherapy ended, her body temperature increased to 38.3℃. A gram-negative bacillus was isolated in aerobic blood cultures and identified as S. spiritivorum by an automated biochemical system. A 16S rRNA sequencing analysis confirmed that the isolate was S. spiritivorum. The patient received antibiotic therapy for 11 days but died of septic shock. This is the first reported case of human S. spiritivorum infection in Korea. Although human infection is rare, S. spiritivorum can be a fatal opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients.

Sphingobacterium changzhouense sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from a rice field.

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated N7(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from a rice field in Jiangsu, China, and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain N7(T) grew optimally at 25-30 °C, pH 6.0-8.0, and in the presence of 1 % NaCl (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain N7(T) was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and was closely related to Sphingobacterium multivorum IAM14316(T) (97.49 %) and Sphingobacterium canadense CR11(T) (97.11 %), sharing less than 97 % sequence similarities with other species of the genus Sphingobacterium. The predominant respiratory quinone of strain N7(T) was MK-7 and major fatty acids were summed features 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The G+C content of the DNA was 40.9±0.5 mol%. The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain N7(T) and the most closely related species S. multivorum IAM 14316(T) and S. canadense CR11(T) were 21 % and 15 %, respectively. Based on these results, strain N7(T) is proposed to represent a separate species within the genus Sphingobacterium. The name Sphingobacterium changzhouense sp. nov. is suggested and the type strain is N7(T) ( = CCTCC AB 2012100(T) = KACC 16854(T)).