Alishewanella maricola sp. nov., isolated from seawater of the Yellow Sea.

A Gram-stain-negative and facultative aerobic bacterium, strain 16-MAT, was isolated from seawater of Yellow Sea in South Korea. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive and non-motile rods. Growth occurred at 4-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, 8.0), and in the presence of 0-7.0% NaCl (optimum, 3 %). Strain 16-MAT contained ubiquinone-8 as the sole isoprenoid quinone, C16 : 0 and summed feature three as the major fatty acids (>10 %), and phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, and an unidentified polar lipid as the major polar lipids. The genome size and DNA G+C content of strain 16-MAT were 3.69 Mb and 46.0 mol%, respectively. Strain 16-MAT was most closely related to Alishewanella alkalitolerans LNK-7.1T with a 97.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. A phylogenomic tree based on whole genome sequences showed that strain 16-MAT formed a phylogenetic lineage within the genus Alishewanella. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and molecular analyses, strain 16-MAT represents a novel species of the genus Alishewanella, for which the name Alishewanella maricola is proposed. The type strain is 16-MAT (=KACC 22238T =JCM 34596T).

Rhodococcus oxybenzonivorans sp. nov., a benzophenone-3-degrading bacterium, isolated from stream sediment.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultative aerobic, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, non-sporulating, and non-motile bacterium, which degraded benzophenone-3, was isolated from stream sediment collected in the Republic of Korea and designated as strain S2-17T. Cells of this strain were rod-shaped during the early growth phase but became coccoid after the late exponential growth phase. Bacterial growth was observed at 15-37 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C) and pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.5) and in the presence of 0-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-1.0 %). Menaquinone-8 (H2) was the sole isoprenoid quinone, and C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω8c, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c) and C18 : 1 ω9c were the major fatty acids. The cell wall of strain S2-17T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and arabinose, galactose and mycolic acid were found in whole-cell hydrolysates, suggesting a chemotype IV cell wall. The G+C content of the genome was 65.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain S2-17T formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Rhodococcus and was most closely related to Rhodococcus jostii DSM 44719T (99.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain S2-17T and R. jostii DSM 44719T were 82.6 and 26.5 %, respectively, indicating differences between the species. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain S2-17T represents a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus oxybenzonivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2-17T (=KACC 19281T=JCM 32046T).

Paenibacillus agri sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A strict aerobic bacterium, strain JW14T was isolated from soil in the Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-endospore-forming and motile rods showing catalase-positive and oxidase-negative activities. Growth of strain JW14T was observed at 20-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-2.0% NaCl (optimum, 0%). Strain JW14T contained menaquinone-7 as the sole isoprenoid quinone, anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids (>10.0%), and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminophospholipids and an unidentified lipid as the major polar lipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain JW14T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain JW14T calculated from the whole genome sequence was 48.1 mol%. Strain JW14T was most closely related to Paenibacillus graminis DSM 15220T with 97.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JW14T formed a distinct phyletic lineage from closely related type strains within the genus Paenibacillus. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses, strain JW14T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus agri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JW14T (=KACC 21840T=JCM 34279T).

Flavobacterium microcysteis sp. nov., isolated from a culture of Microcystis aeruginosa.

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain MaA-Y11T, was isolated from a culture of Microcystis aeruginosa in the Republic of Korea. Cells were non-motile rods showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain MaA-Y11T was observed at 25-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, 7.0) and in the presence of 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Strain MaA-Y11T did not produce flexirubin-type pigments. Strain MaA-Y11T contained iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) as major cellular fatty acids and menaquinone-6 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids were detected as the major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, showed that strain MaA-Y11T formed a phyletic lineage with Flavobacterium lindanitolerans IP-10T within the genus Flavobacterium. Strain MaA-Y11T was most closely related to Flavobacterium lindanitolerans IP-10T, with a 98.85 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, and shared less than 93.87 % sequence similarities with other type strains. Average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain MaA-Y11T and the type strain of F. lindanitolerans were 87.0 and 32.3 %, respectively. Here, we conclude that strain MaA-Y11T represents a new species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium microcysteis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MaA-Y11T (=KACC 21225T=JCM 33501T).

Companilactobacillus pabuli sp. nov., a lactic acid bacterium isolated from animal feed.

A Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, catalase-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped lactic acid bacterium strain, denoted as NFFJ11T and isolated from total mixed fermentation feed in the Republic of Korea, was characterized through polyphasic approaches, including sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and housekeeping genes (rpoA and pheS), determination of average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, and phenotypic characterization. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, rpoA and pheS gene sequences revealed that strain NFFJ11T belonged to the genus Companilactobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NFFJ11T exhibited high similarity to Companilactobacillus formosensis S215T (99.66 %), Companilactobacillus farciminis Rv4 naT (99.53 %), Companilactobacillus crustorum LMG 23699T (99.19 %), Companilactobacillus futsaii YM 0097T (99.06 %), Companilactobacillus zhachilii HBUAS52074T (98.86 %) and Companilactobacillus heilongiiangensis S4-3T (98.66 %). However, average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values for these type strains were in the range of 79.90-92.93 % and 23.80-49.30 %, respectively, which offer evidence that strain NFFJ11T belongs to a novel species of the genus Companilactobacillus. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys-d-Asp) and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35.7 mol%. The main fatty acids of strain NFFJ11T were C18 : 1 ω9c (43.3 %), C16 : 0 (20.1 %) and summed feature 7 (18.3 %; comprising any combination of C19 : 1 ω7c, C19 : 1 ω6c and C19 : 0 cyclo ω10c). Through polyphasic taxonomic analysis, it was observed that strain NFFJ11T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Companilactobacillus, for which the name Companilactobacillus pabuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NFFJ11T (= KACC 21771T= JCM 34088T).

Cloacibacterium caeni sp. nov., isolated from activated sludge.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated B6T, was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater treatment plant in South Korea. Cells were oxidase- and catalase-positive and non-motile rods producing yellow carotenoid-type pigments. Growth of B6T was observed at 20-40 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and pH 6.6-8.2 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in R2A broth supplemented with 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). B6T contained iso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acid. Menaquinone-6 was detected as the sole respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of B6T was 31.5 mol%. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that B6T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with members of the genus Cloacibacterium. B6T was most closely related to Cloacibacterium rupense R2A-16T (99.0 %), Cloacibacterium normanense NRS1T (98.7 %) and Cloacibacterium haliotis WB5T (97.4 %), but their DNA-DNA relatedness levels were less than 42.0 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, it is clear that B6T represents a novel species of the genus Cloacibacterium, for which the name Cloacibacterium caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B6T (=KACC 18988T=JCM 31714T).

Sphingobacterium humi sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain D1T, was isolated from soil in South Korea. Cells of strain D1T were non-motile rods with oxidase- and catalase-positive activities. Growth was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30-37 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 0.0-5.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.0-1.0 %). The only respiratory quinone detected was menaquinone 7 (MK-7), and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipid, and two unidentified glycophospholipids and four unidentified lipids were also detected as minor polar lipids. Sphingolipids, a typical chemotaxonomic feature of the genus Sphingobacterium, were detected. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 43.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain D1T formed a phyletic lineage with Sphingobacterium hotanense XH4T within the genus Sphingobacterium. Strain D1T was most closely related to S. hotanense XH4T (98.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Sphingobacterium cellulitidis R-53603T (97.2 %), and the DNA-DNA relatedness level between strain D1T and the type strain of S. cellulitidis was 43.1±0.7 %. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain D1T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D1T (=KACC 18595T=JCM 31225T).

Arenimonas aestuarii sp. nov., isolated from estuary sediment.

A novel species of the genus Arenimonas, represented by strain S2-21T, was isolated from an estuary of Asan in South Korea. Cells of strain S2-21T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile rods that were oxidase- and catalase-positive. Growth of strain S2-21T was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C11 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (comprising iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl), anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C11 : 0. The only respiratory quinone detected was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanol and two unknown phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S2-21T formed a tight phyletic lineage with Arenimonas donghaensis HO3-R19T within the genus Arenimonas. Strain S2-21T was related most closely to A. donghaensis HO3-R19T at 98.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and the mean DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain S2-21T and the type strain of A. donghaensis was 23.6 ± 2.2 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain S2-21T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Arenimonas, for which the name Arenimonas aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2-21T ( = KACC 18504T = JCM 31129T).

Maribacter lutimaris sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-staining-negative, moderately halophilic and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain KJ4T, was isolated from marine sediment at Gangjin in South Korea. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive long rods with gliding motility. Growth of strain KJ4T was observed at 4-37 °C (optimum, 15-25 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.5) and in the presence of 1.0-7.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0-5.0%). Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the only isoprenoid quinone detected and iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, iso-C15:1 G and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) were the major cellular fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain KJ4T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and five unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 38.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain KJ4T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the genus Maribacter. Strain KJ4T was most closely related to Maribacter orientalis KMM 3947T with 97.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain KJ4T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Maribacter, for which the name Maribacter lutimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KJ4T (=KACC 16438T=JCM 31154T).

Recovery of plasmid pEMB1, whose toxin-antitoxin system stabilizes an ampicillin resistance-conferring ß-lactamase gene in Escherichia coli, from natural environments.

Non-culture-based procedures were used to investigate plasmids showing ampicillin resistance properties in two different environments: remote mountain soil (Mt. Jeombong) and sludge (Tancheon wastewater treatment plant). Total DNA extracted from the environmental samples was directly transformed into Escherichia coli TOP10, and a single and three different plasmids were obtained from the mountain soil and sludge samples, respectively. Interestingly, the restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern of the plasmid from the mountain soil sample, designated pEMB1, was identical to the pattern of one of the three plasmids from the sludge sample. Complete DNA sequencing of plasmid pEMB1 (8,744 bp) showed the presence of six open reading frames, including a ß-lactamase gene. Using BLASTX, the orf5 and orf6 genes were suggested to encode a CopG family transcriptional regulator and a plasmid stabilization system, respectively. Functional characterization of these genes using a knockout orf5 plasmid (pEMB1ΔparD) and the cloning and expression of orf6 (pET21bparE) indicated that these genes were antitoxin (parD) and toxin (parE) genes. Plasmid stability tests using pEMB1 and pEMB1ΔparDE in E. coli revealed that the orf5 and orf6 genes enhanced plasmid maintenance in the absence of ampicillin. Using a PCR-based survey, pEMB1-like plasmids were additionally detected in samples from other human-impacted sites (sludge samples) and two other remote mountain soil samples, suggesting that plasmids harboring a ß-lactamase gene with a ParD-ParE toxin-antitoxin system occurs broadly in the environment. This study extends knowledge about the dissemination and persistence of antibiotic resistance genes in naturally occurring microbial populations.

Litoribaculum gwangyangense gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a sea-tidal flat sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain GY12(T), was isolated from a tidal flat of South Korea. Cells were moderately halotolerant, catalase- and oxidase-positive rods with gliding motility, and were devoid of flagella. Growth of strain GY12(T) was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum 25-30 °C), pH 6.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5) and with 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1-2 %). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipids consisted almost entirely of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 34.8 mol% and the only respiratory quinone detected was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Strain GY12(T) was most closely related to the genera Gaetbulibacter, Flaviramulus, Mariniflexile and Tamlana with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 94-97 %, but phylogenetic inferences based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain formed phyletic lineages distinct from these genera within the family Flavobacteriaceae. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular features, strain GY12(T) represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Litoribaculum gwangyangense gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is GY12(T) ( = KACC 16441(T) = JCM 18325(T)).

Confluentimicrobium naphthalenivorans sp. nov., a naphthalene-degrading bacterium isolated from sea-tidal-flat sediment, and emended description of the genus Confluentimicrobium Park et al. 2015.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain NS6T, was isolated from sea-tidal-flat sediment of the South Sea in Korea. Cells were motile rods with a single flagellum showing positive catalase and oxidase activities. Strain NS6T grew at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %). Ubiquinone-10 was identified as the only isoprenoid quinone and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C16 : 0 and C10 : 0 3-OH were the major fatty acids. Strain NS6T contained phosphatidylglycerol, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol, an unidentified amino lipid and an unidentified lipid as the major polar lipids. An unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids were also detected as the minor polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 64.5 mol%. Strain NS6T was most closely related to Confluentimicrobium lipolyticum SSK1-4T with a 96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, and the phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NS6T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with C. lipolyticum SSK1-4T. The physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain NS6T represents a novel species of the genus Confluentimicrobium, for which the name Confluentimicrobium naphthalenivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS6T ( = KCTC 18418T = JCM 30828T). An emended description of the genus Confluentimicrobium is also proposed.

Aliiglaciecola aliphaticivorans sp. nov., an aliphatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium, isolated from a sea-tidal flat and emended description of the genus Aliiglaciecola Jean et al. 2013.

A Gram-stain-negative heterotrophic bacterium, designated GSD6(T), capable of growth on aliphatic hydrocarbons as a sole carbon and energy source, was isolated from sea-tidal flat sediment of the Yellow Sea, South Korea. Cells were facultatively aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile rods with a single polar flagellum. Growth of strain GSD6(T) was observed at 4-37 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum pH 6.5-7.5) and in the presence of 1-9% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2%). Strain GSD6(T) contained ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the sole isoprenoid quinone and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c, C17  : 0 10-methyl and C17 : 1ω8c as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol were identified as the major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GSD6(T) formed a phylogenetic lineage with members of the genus Aliiglaciecola . Strain GSD6(T) was most closely related to Aliiglaciecola lipolytica E3(T) with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.4%, but their DNA-DNA hybridization value was 39.1 ± 7.1%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain GSD6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Aliiglaciecola , for which the name Aliiglaciecola aliphaticivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GSD6(T) ( =KACC 18129(T) =JCM 30133(T)). An emended description of the genus Aliiglaciecola is also proposed.

Garicola koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from saeu-jeot, traditional Korean fermented shrimp.

A novel Gram-staining-positive, non-endospore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated strain SJ5-4(T), was isolated from seau-jeot, a traditional food that is made by fermentation of highly salted [approximately 25 % (w/v)] shrimp in Korea. Cells were moderately halophilic, non-motile cocci or short rods that showed catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain SJ5-4(T) was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and in the presence of 1-17 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 6 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain SJ5-4(T) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid, three glycolipids and an unidentified lipid were detected as the polar lipids. Strain SJ5-4(T) belonged to the exceptionally small group of strains within the order Micrococcales that show a peptidoglycan cross-linked according to the A-type but containing 2,4-diaminobutyric acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.8 mol%. MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9 were detected as the isoprenoid quinones. Strain SJ5-4(T) was most closely related to members of the genus Nesterenkonia, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 93.1-94.8 %. However, phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SJ5-4(T) formed a phyletic lineage distinct from members of the genus Nesterenkonia within the family Micrococcaceae. On the basis of its phenotypic and molecular features, strain SJ5-4(T) represents a novel genus and species of the family Micrococcaceae, for which the name Garicola koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Garicola koreensis is SJ5-4(T) ( = KACC 16909(T) = JCM 18572(T) = DSM 28238(T)).

Mycobacterium anyangense sp. nov., a rapidly growing species isolated from blood of Korean native cattle, Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae).

From the whole blood of Korean native cattle, Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae), a previously undescribed, rapidly growing, scotochromogenic isolate of the genus Mycobacterium is reported. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence, and the sequences of three other genes (hsp65, recA and rpoB) were unique and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence (1420 bp) placed the organism into the rapidly growing Mycobacterium group close to Mycobacterium smegmatis (98.5% sequence similarity). However, phylogenetic analyses based on three different gene sequences (hsp65, recA and rpoB) revealed its location to be distinct from the branch of rapidly growing species. Culture and biochemical characteristics were generally similar to those of Mycobacterium fortuitum. Unique matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS profiles of lipids, unique fatty acid profile, unique mycolic acids profiles and a low DNA-DNA relatedness to M. fortuitum (23.6%) and M. smegmatis (39.7%) strongly supported the taxonomic status of this strain as a representative of a novel species of rapidly growing mycobacteria named Mycobacterium anyangense. The type strain is strain QIA-38(T) ( = JCM 30275(T) = KCTC 29443(T)).

Lentibacillus garicola sp. nov., isolated from myeolchi-aekjeot, a Korean fermented anchovy sauce.

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain SL-MJ1(T), was isolated from myeolchi-aekjeot, a Korean traditionally fermented anchovy sauce. Cells were observed to be non-spore-forming rods showing oxidase-negative and catalase-positive reactions. Growth of strain SL-MJ1(T) was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.5-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 6 %). Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone: menaquinone-7; DNA G + C content: 42.8 mol%; cell wall type: meso-diaminopimelic acid; major fatty acids: anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C16:0) support the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Lentibacillus. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid were identified as the major cellular polar lipids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain SL-MJ1(T) is most closely related to Lentibacillus juripiscarius IS40-3(T) with a 95.3 % similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences also support the conclusion that strain SL-MJ1(T) forms a phylogenetic lineage with members of the genus Lentibacillus within the family Bacillaceae. Given its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, we conclude that strain SL-MJ1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Lentibacillus, for which the name Lentibacillus garicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SL-MJ1(T) (=KACC 18130(T) = JCM 30131(T)).

Photobacterium aestuarii sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a tidal flat.

A Gram-staining-negative, motile, weakly halophilic and facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain YA11(T), was isolated from tidal flat sediment at Yeongam Bay, South Korea. Strain YA11(T) grew at 10-30 °C (optimum, 20 °C), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.5) and in the presence of 1-6% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-3%). The major cellular fatty acids of the strain were summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or C(16 : 1)ω6c), summed feature 8 (C(18 : 1)ω7c and/or C(18 : 1)ω6c) and C(16 : 0). The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.2 mol%. Strain YA11(T) contained Q-8 as the sole respiratory quinone. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YA11(T) formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus Photobacterium and the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain YA11(T) and the type strains of species of the genus Photobacterium ranged between 94.0 and 96.4%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain YA11(T) represents a novel species of the genus Photobacterium, for which the name Photobacterium aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed, with strain YA11(T)( = KACC 16912(T) = JCM 18592(T)) as the type strain.

Salimicrobium jeotgali sp. nov., isolated from salted, fermented seafood.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, motile bacterium, designated strain MJ3(T), was isolated from myeolchi-jeot (anchovy jeotgal), a traditional fermented seafood in South Korea. Cells were non-endospore-forming cocci showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain MJ3(T) was observed at 15-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 1-24% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 10% NaCl). Phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MJ3(T) formed a tight phyletic lineage with members of the genus Salimicrobium. Strain MJ3(T) was related most closely to Salimicrobium salexigens 29CMI(T), Salimicrobium album DSM 20748(T), Salimicrobium flavidum ISL-25(T), Salimicrobium luteum BY-5(T) and Salimicrobium halophilum DSM 4771(T), with similarities of 98.8%, 98.7%, 98.6%, 98.4% and 98.3%, respectively. However, the DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain MJ3(T) (KF732837) and S. salexigens DSM 22782(T), S. album DSM 20748(T), S. flavidum DSM 23127(T), S. luteum KCTC 3989(T) and S. halophilum JCM 12305(T) were 60 ± 5.4%, 58.5 ± 6.5%, 43.6 ± 5.5%, 37.2 ± 5.8% and 16.7 ± 0.2%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic data (sole isoprenoid quinone, MK-7; major cell-wall type, meso-diaminopimelic acid; major cellular fatty acids, anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0; major polar lipids, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; DNA G+C content, 46.3 mol%) also supported the affiliation of strain MJ3(T) with the genus Salimicrobium. Therefore, strain MJ3(T) represents a novel species of the genus Salimicrobium, for which the name Salimicrobium jeotgali sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MJ3(T) ( = KACC 16972(T) = JCM 19758(T)).

Pyrosequencing-based analysis of bacterial community and metabolites profiles in Korean traditional seafood fermentation: a flatfish-fermented seafood.

Bacterial community and metabolites were analyzed in a flatfish jeotgal, a Korean fermented seafood. Inverse relationship of pH and 16S rRNA gene copy number was identified during fermentation. Lactobacillus was the predominant bacterial genus. Increase of Firmicutes was a common characteristic shared by other fermented seafood. Fructose, glucose, and maltose were the major metabolites.