Retraction Note to: Environmental impact of plantations in and around the petroleum refinery: a case study.

This article [1] has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Significant sections of the article show a similarity with the author's own article published previously [2]. All the authors agree with the retraction.

Beta caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide, isolated from Aegle marmelos, as the potent anti-inflammatory agents against lymphoma and neuroblastoma cells.

Aegle marmelos (Indian Bael) is a tree which belongs to the family of Rutaceae. It holds a prominent position in both Indian medicine and Indian culture. We have screened various fractions of Aegle marmelos extracts for their anticancer properties using in vitro cell models. Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to analyze the biomolecules present in the Aegle marmelos extract. Jurkat and human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) cells were treated with different concentrations of the fractionated Aegle marmelos extracts. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that optimal concentration (50 µg/ml) of beta caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide fractions of Aegle marmelos extract can induce apoptosis in Jurkat cell line. cDNA expression profiling of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes was carried out using real time PCR (RT-PCR). Down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes (bcl-2, mdm2, cox2 and cmyb) and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes (bax, bak1, caspase-8, caspase-9 and ATM) in Jurkat and IMR-32 cells treated with the beta caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide fractions of Aegle marmelos extract revealed the insights of the downstream apoptotic mechanism. Furthermore, in-silico approach was employed to understand the upstream target involved in the induction of apoptosis by the beta caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide fractions of Aegle marmelos extract. Herein, we report that beta caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide isolated from Aegle marmelos can act as potent anti-inflammatory agents and modulators of a newly established therapeutic target, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX). Beta caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide can induce apoptosis in lymphoma and neuroblastoma cells via modulation of 15-LOX (up-stream target) followed by the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes.

Diversity of bacteria and archaea from a landfill in Chandigarh, India as revealed by culture-dependent and culture-independent molecular approaches.

The bacterial community structure of a municipal landfill in Chandigarh, India was analysed by culture-dependent as well as culture-independent molecular approaches, and archaeal structure by the latter method. Samples were collected in two phases from the surface and a depth of 0.91 m in June, 2004 and from 0.91 m, 1.52 m and 1.68 m in May, 2005. After serial dilutions, samples were plated onto tryptic soy agar (TSA), plate count agar (PCA), tryptic soy broth agar (TSBA) and TSBA100 (TSBA diluted 100 times and solidified with agarose), and incubated aerobically at 30°C. The number of bacteria (CFU) on different media ranged between 9.4×105g⁻¹ (on PCA) and 1.9×107g⁻¹ (on TSA) (wet weight). The numbers of bacteria enumerated from plates incubated anaerobically (anaerobic agar and reinforced clostridial agar) were 2.1×107and 1.7×106g⁻¹, respectively. Of the 468 isolated and purified bacteria (183 in the first phase and 285 in the second phase), 135 were characterised using phenotypic characteristics as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It was found that members of the phylum Firmicutes were overwhelmingly predominant (86.6%) in the landfill, followed by Actinobacteria (9.6%) and Proteobacteria (3.7%). Among the Firmicutes, at least 17 species from the single genus Bacillus were the most abundant inhabitants of the landfill. Detailed polyphasic characterisation of many of these isolates led to the discovery of a novel genus Paenisporosarcina (and the species P. quisquiliarum), a novel species of Microbacterium, M. immunditiarum, and reclassification of Sporosarcina macmurdoensis, Pelagibacillus goriensis, Bacillus silvestris, Bacillus insolitus, Bacillus psychrotolerans and Bacillus psychrodurans. Culture-independent analysis of two 16S rRNA gene libraries also revealed that the phylum Firmicutes was the predominant group in this community. The diversity of Archaea was found to be limited mainly to members of two orders: Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales of the phylum Euryarchaeota. When these results were compared to those reported earlier on similar studies, it was found that irrespective of differences in composition of municipal solid waste (especially compostable organic matter and paper) and climate, the members of bacterial and archaeal communities in landfills of many countries remained broadly similar.

Evaluation and analysis of noise levels at traffic intersections of Nagpur city, India.

The objective of the present study was to monitor and assess the noise levels at traffic intersections in Napgur city under heterogenic traffic activities. For this, traffic volume and noise level were measured at intersections on highways, major roads andring road during morning and evening peak hours. Traffic volume was categorized in light, medium and heavy vehicles while noise levels were measured for Lmin, Lmax, Leq , L10 and L90. Equivalent noise was observed in the range of 71.3 to 79.3 dB(A) at the traffic intersections. Due to heterogenic traffic conditions and activities at the intersection like honking, idling, gear noise, bearing noise, breaking noise, tyre-road noise and exhaust noise, no correlation was established between traffic volume and observed noise levels except West High Court road. A strong correlation was found at West High Court road due to controlled traffic flow and less impact of heavy vehicles. Impact of noisy vehicles on general traffic was also assessed at the traffic intersections based on noise pollution levels and traffic noise index. The study suggests that control measures are required at the traffic intersections to minimize noise pollution levels.

Microbacterium immunditiarum sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from landfill surface soil, and emended description of the genus Microbacterium.

A Gram-positive, non-endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain SK 18(T), was isolated from surface soil of a landfill site by dilution plating on trypticase soy broth agar. Preliminary characterization of strain SK 18(T) via biochemical tests, analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed it within the genus Microbacterium. Analysis of the cell wall indicated that the peptidoglycan was of cross-linkage type B, containing the amino acids lysine and ornithine and with muramic acid in the N-glycolyl form. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids of the cell membrane were anteiso-C(17 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0). These data further strengthened placement of the strain within the genus Microbacterium. Strain SK 18(T) shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.2 %) with Microbacterium ulmi DSM 16931(T). Levels of similarity with the type strains of all other recognized Microbacterium species were less than 97.0 %. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments with strain SK 18(T) and its closest relative, M. ulmi DSM 16931(T), revealed a low reassociation value of 39.0 % (σ = 3.8 %). Moreover, strain SK 18(T) showed a number of differences in phenotypic characteristics (colony colour, catalase activity, hydrolysis of polymers, acid production from sugars and oxidation of various substrates), and its DNA G+C content was also higher than that of M. ulmi DSM 16931(T). These data indicated that strain SK 18(T) represents a novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium immunditiarum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SK 18(T) (= MTCC 7185(T) = JCM 14034(T)). An emended description of the genus Microbacterium is also provided.

Role of Carum copticum seeds in modulating chromium-induced toxicity on human bronchial epithelial cells and human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Carum copticum seeds are well known for ailment of various diseases since ancient times. The present study pertains to investigate modulatory effects of methanolic extract of C. copticum seeds (MCE) against hexavalent chromium induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, apoptosis and oxidative stress on human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and isolated human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) in vitro. Treatment of BEAS-2B and PBL with MCE prior to potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7)) treatment exhibited an increase in cell viability and decrease of DNA damage as compared to K(2)Cr(2)O(7) treatment alone, as evaluated by WST-8 and Comet assay respectively. Further, MCE administration 1h prior to graded doses of K(2)Cr(2)O(7) significantly decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced apoptosis and caspase 3 activity. MCE also ameliorated K(2)Cr(2)O(7) induced decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) antioxidant enzyme levels in BEAS-2B and PBL cells accompanied by reduction in lipid peroxides with maximum effect at 50 µg/ml. Thus, this study provides strong evidence to support the beneficial effect of MCE in preventing Cr(VI) induced toxicity in BEAS-2B and PBL cells.

E-waste scenario in India, its management and implications.

Electronic waste or E-waste comprises of old, end-of-life electronic appliances such as computers, laptops, TVs, DVD players, refrigerators, freezers, mobile phones, MP3 players, etc., which have been disposed of by their original users. E-waste contains many hazardous constituents that may negatively impact the environment and affect human health if not properly managed. Various organizations, bodies, and governments of many countries have adopted and/or developed the environmentally sound options and strategies for E-waste management to tackle the ever growing threat of E-waste to the environment and human health. This paper presents E-waste composition, categorization, Global and Indian E-waste scenarios, prospects of recoverable, recyclable, and hazardous materials found in the E-waste, Best Available Practices, recycling, and recovery processes followed, and their environmental and occupational hazards. Based on the discussion, various challenges for E-waste management particularly in India are delineated, and needed policy interventions were discussed.

Simultaneous degradation of cyanide and phenol in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor.

Coal coking, precious metals mining and nitrile polymer industries generate over several billion liters of cyanide-containing waste annually. Economic and environmental considerations make biological technologies attractive for treatment of wastes containing high organic content, in which the microbial cultures can remove concentrations of organics and cyanide simultaneously. For cyanide and phenol bearing waste treatment, an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor has been developed, which successfully removed free cyanide 98% (with feed concentration of 20 mg 1(-1)) in presence of phenol. The effect of cyanide on phenol degradation was studied with varying concentrations of phenol as well as cyanide under anaerobic conditions. This study revealed that the methanogenic degradation of phenol can occur in the presence of cyanide concentration 30-38 mg 1(-1). Higher cyanide concentration inhibited the phenol degradation rate. The inhibition constant Ki was found to be 38 mg 1(-1) with phenol removal rate of 9.09 mg 1(-1.) x h.

Psychrobacillus gen. nov. and proposal for reclassification of Bacillus insolitus Larkin & Stokes, 1967, B. psychrotolerans Abd-El Rahman et al., 2002 and B. psychrodurans Abd-El Rahman et al., 2002 as Psychrobacillus insolitus comb. nov., Psychrobacillus psychrotolerans comb. nov. and Psychrobacillus psychrodurans comb. nov.

The taxonomic status of three Bacillus species, Bacillus insolitus, B. psychrodurans and B. psychrotolerans was reexamined using a polyphasic approach. In our analysis, these three Bacillus species formed a cluster separate from other members of Bacillus rRNA group 2 [5] and from Bacillus sensu stricto. These three species shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between them (97.8-99.7%) and showed closest sequence similarity (95.3-96.3%) to Paenisporosarcina quisquiliarum gen. nov., sp. nov. [18]. Sequence similarities with other related genera ranged between 90.9% and 94.5%. Phylogenetic coherence of the three species was supported by phenotypic characteristics, such as growth at low temperatures, negative oxidation and assimilation of many carbohydrates, MK8 as the major isoprenoid quinine and broadly similar polar lipid profiles. All three species had a similar peptidoglycan type of the variation A4ß and similar genomic G+C contents (35.7-36.6 mol% [1]). Genomic relatedness among them was shown to be less than 70% and justified their separate species status [1]. These three species could be differentiated from each other and from related taxa on the basis of phenotypic, including chemotaxonomic, characteristics and ribotype patterns. On the basis of our analysis, we propose a new genus Psychrobacillus gen. nov. and to transfer B. insolitus, B. psychrodurans and B. psychrotolerans to the new genus as Psychrobacillus insolitus comb. nov. (type species of the genus; type strain W16B(T)=DSM 5(T)), P. psychrodurans comb. nov. (type strain 68E3(T)=DSM 11713(T)) and P. psychrotolerans comb. nov. (type strain 3H1(T)=DSM 11706(T)).

Bio-mitigation of CO(2), calcite formation and simultaneous biodiesel precursors production using Chlorella sp.

In this study, an attempt was made to use micro-algal system for the production of biodiesel precursors and simultaneous CO(2) mitigation. Chlorella sp. was found to have a higher growth rate as compared to the other algal species tested namely Chlamydomonas sp. and Synnecococcus sp. At different CO(2) concentrations (0.03%, 3%, 10% and 15%), the lipid productivity was 23.0, 20.0 and 27.3mg/L/d respectively. Calcite produced was characterized using FT-IR, SEM and XRD. The FAME in crude biofuel was analyzed by GC-FID that found to contain palmitic acid (C16:0), docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6). The calorific value of Chlorella sp. was found to be 29kJ/g which is higher than values reported for fresh water microalgae making it a potential candidate to be used as an alternate fuel.

Environmental impact of plantations in and around the petroleum refinery: a case study.

Plantation or green belt (GB) grown around the factories and industrial premises improves the condition of land, mitigates air pollution (as the plants serve as a sink for pollutants and check the flow of dust, etc.), and reduces the level of noise pollution. The software developed by NEERI for the determination of the optimal width of GB in and around an industry is based on the pollution attenuation coefficient of selected plant species of deciduous trees existing in the region. The assessment of the impact of these plantations/green belts of 500-m width in and around a petroleum refinery in the west coast of India is evaluated for reducing/managing various waste generated, and it is observed that the overall efficiency is more than 60%.

Antigenotoxic potential of Gymnema montanum leaves on DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and HL-60 cell line.

In this study we have evaluated the genoprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Gymnema montanum (GLEt) leaves in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and HL-60 cell line in vitro using the comet assay. DNA damage was induced by treating the cells with H(2)O(2) and methyl methane sulphonate (MMS). GLEt treatment effectively protected the lymphocytes and HL-60 cell line from H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner whereas it was not effective against alkylative DNA damage caused by MMS. The global percent repair efficiency also showed that both pre- and post- GLEt treatment provided effective protection against H(2)O(2) induced DNA damage but not as effective against MMS. At 200 microg ml(-1) level, its repair capacity against H(2)O(2) induced DNA damage was comparable to that of vitamin-C (100 microM). Furthermore, exposure to GLEt reduced the formation of apoptotic cells caused by H(2)O(2), which was demonstrated by the decreased sub-G1-DNA content in cell cycle analysis and apoptotic frequencies of lymphocytes in an annexin-V binding assay. In addition, GLEt was found to have effective peroxide scavenging ability in dose-dependent manner. The protective efficiency of the extract was found to be directly proportional to its total phenolic content. The present study indicates that G. montanum leaves are a significant source of phytochemicals with antigenotoxic and antioxidant activity, and thus has potential therapeutic use.

Fontibacillus aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a warm spring.

A novel facultatively anaerobic strain, designated GPTSA 19(T), was isolated from a warm spring and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain behaved as Gram-negative in the Gram staining procedure but showed a Gram-positive reaction in the aminopeptidase test. The novel strain was a mesophilic rod with ellipsoidal endospores. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain showed closest similarity (96.0 %) with Paenibacillus motobuensis MC10(T). The gene sequence similarity of the novel strain with other species of the genus Paenibacillus was <95.8 %. The novel strain also had PAEN 515F and 682F signature sequence stretches in the 16S rRNA gene that are usually found in most species of the genus Paenibacillus. The strain possessed anteiso-C(15 : 0) as the major fatty acid and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. Polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), six unknown phospholipids (PLs), one aminophospholipid (PN), three glycolipids (GLs), two aminolipids (ALs), one aminophosphoglycolipid (APGL) and three unknown lipids (ULs). The polar lipid profile of the novel strain, especially as regards ALs, GLs and PLs, distinguished it from the recognized type species of the genus Paenibacillus, Paenibacillus polymyxa, as well as from its closest relative P. motobuensis. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the new strain merits the rank of a novel genus for which the name Fontibacillus gen. nov. is proposed. The type species of the new genus is Fontibacillus aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov. with the type strain GPTSA 19(T) (=MTCC 7155(T)=DSM 17643(T)).

Carbon sequestration in reclaimed manganese mine land at Gumgaon, India.

Carbon emission is supposed to be the strongest factor for global warming. Removing atmospheric carbon and storing it in the terrestrial biosphere is one of the cost-effective options, to compensate greenhouse gas emission. Millions of acres of abandoned mine land throughout the world, if restored and converted into vegetative land, would solve two major problems of global warming and generation of degraded wasteland. In this study, a manganese spoil dump at Gumgaon, Nagpur in India was reclaimed, using an integrated biotechnological approach (IBA). The physicochemical and microbiological status of the mine land improved after reclamation. Soil organic carbon (SOC) pool increased from 0.104% to 0.69% after 20 years of reclamation in 0-15 cm spoil depth. Soil organic carbon level of reclaimed site was also compared with a native forestland and agricultural land. Forest soil showed highest SOC level of 1.11% followed by reclaimed land and agriculture land of 0.70% and 0.40%, respectively. Soil profile studies of all three sites showed that SOC pool decreased from 0-15, 15-30, and 30-45 cm depths. Although reclaimed land showed less carbon than forestland, it showed better SOC accumulation rate. Reclamation of mine lands by using IBA is an effective method for mitigating CO2 emissions.

Description of Paenisporosarcina quisquiliarum gen. nov., sp. nov., and reclassification of Sporosarcina macmurdoensis Reddy et al. 2003 as Paenisporosarcina macmurdoensis comb. nov.

In the course of a study of the prokaryotic diversity of a landfill site in Chandigarh, India, a strain designated SK 55(T) was isolated and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence showed closest similarity (98.3 %) to that of Sporosarcina macmurdoensis CMS 21w(T). The sequence similarity to strains of other hitherto described species of Sporosarcina was less than 95.5 %. Strain SK 55(T) contains peptidoglycan of the A4alpha type (l-Lys-d-Asp), MK-8 and MK-7 as the major menaquinones and iso-C(15 : 0) as the major fatty acid. Strain SK 55(T), Sporosarcina macmurdoensis and Sporosarcina ureae, the type species of the genus, had some polar lipids in common (diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, a phospholipid and an unknown lipid). However, an aminolipid, an aminophospholipid and an unknown lipid found in the former two organisms are similar, though not identical, but quite different from the profile of S. ureae. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strain SK 55(T) (46.0 mol%) and S. macmurdoensis CMS 21w(T) (44.0 mol%) are higher than those reported for the majority of species of Sporosarcina (36-42 mol%). As revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain SK 55(T) and S. macmurdoensis CMS 21w(T) form a clade which is distinct from the clade occupied by other species of Sporosarcina. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics including chemotaxonomic data and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, we conclude that strain SK 55(T) should be considered as a member of a novel genus and species, for which the name Paenisporosarcina quisquiliarum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Paenisporosarcina quisquiliarum is SK 55(T) (=MTCC7604(T) =JCM 14041(T)). S. macmurdoensis CMS 21w(T) shows more similarity in its 16S rRNA gene sequence (98.3 %), DNA G+C content and polar lipid profile to strain SK 55(T) than to S. ureae DSM 2281(T). Phylogenetically, it forms a coherent cluster with strain SK 55(T) which is separate from the Sporosarcina cluster. Moreover, iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 1)omega7c alcohol are the three major fatty acids in both S. macmurdoensis CMS 21w(T) and SK 55(T). All these data suggest that S. macmurdoensis should be a member of the genus Paenisporosarcina. However, S. macmurdoensis can be differentiated from SK 55(T) in several physiological and biochemical characteristics, especially in the patterns of oxidation and acid production from carbohydrates. The genomic relatedness of S. macmurdoensis CMS 21w(T) and strain SK 55(T) was also very low (18.0 %). It is therefore logical to transfer Sporosarcina macmurdoensis to the newly created genus as Paenisporosarcina macmurdoensis comb. nov. The type strain is CMS 21w(T) (=MTCC4670(T) =DSM 15428(T)).

Air quality impact of sponge iron industries in central India.

Emission load of particulate matter from 42 sponge iron industrial units located in clusters in the Indian State of Chhattisgarh was estimated to be 1,361 TPD. US EPA air pollution dispersion model ISCST-3 applied to predict the impact of the sponge iron industry emissions on ambient air quality showed contribution up to 546 microg/m(3) to the surrounding air basin causing the air quality exceeding the national ambient air quality standards. Electrostatic precipitator (ESP) has been suggested to all the above industrial units that would bring down the contribution to as low as 27 microg/m(3).

Developmental strategies for sustainable ecosystem on mine spoil dumps: a case of study.

An important goal of ecological rehabilitation is to accelerate natural successional processes to increase biological productivity, soil fertility and biotic control over biogeochemical fluxes within the recovering ecosystems. A new approach called Microbe Assisted Green Technology (MAGT) is an integrated biotechnological approach developed at National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) through exhaustive laboratory as well as field studies and serve as a model for land reclamation and development of lush green vegetation on mine overburdens. One year old seedlings of native tree species were planted on 6.3 ha area of manganese mine overburden at Gumgaon under Manganese Ore India Ltd., Maharashtra, India. Continuous efforts resulted in nutrient rich soil with high N, P, K and organic carbon; well developed biodiversity, including bacteria, fungi, higher plants (more than 350 species) and different classes of animals. Planted trees accumulated 698 t ha( - 1) above ground biomass and 143 t ha( - 1) below ground mass. This was achieved in 18 years by MAGT, which otherwise takes hundreds of years.

Genotoxicity of sludges, wastewater and effluents from three different industries.

Many surface waters in Europe, Asia and South America have been reported to be contaminated with genotoxic substances. Therefore, it is important to establish strategies for identification of the most critical sources. In this study, we used a battery of four genotoxicity assays namely chromosomal aberration, DNA strand break, DNA laddering and P53 accumulation tests in mononuclear blood cells. Before cleaning of wastewater high levels of genotoxic contamination could be observed. For instance, we observed an increase in chromosomal aberrations from 2.6 +/- 1.1 (aberrant cells in %; control), to 33.6 +/- 6.6 in a petrochemical plant, 29.4 +/- 3.3 in a petroleum refinery and 14.4 +/- 1.8 in a coke plant of steel industry. A good correlation between the four assays was found. The most sensitive and reproducible results were obtained with the chromosomal aberration assay. Interestingly, clear differences in the efficiency of wastewater cleaning in three different treatment plants were observed. The first and second treatment plants in petrochemical industry and coke plant of steel industry completely eliminated genotoxicity of the wastewater. However, the third plant in petroleum refinery could achieve a reduction in genotoxicity but significant genotoxic contaminations were still present. In conclusion, our battery of genotoxicity tests allows the identification of critical sources contributing to contamination of surface waters.

Proposal for transfer of Pelagibacillus goriensis Kim et al. 2007 to the genus Terribacillus as Terribacillus goriensis comb. nov.

The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics of two recently described genera were compared. Terribacillus saccharophilus and Pelagibacillus goriensis (both type species of their respective genera) are similar in many phenotypic characteristics and in their fatty acid profiles, both have MK-7 as the major menaquinone and they have similar G+C contents. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of P. goriensis CL-GR16(T) with those of T. saccharophilus 002-048(T) and Terribacillus halophilus 002-051(T) showed high degrees of sequence similarity, respectively 99.8 and 98.9 %. Phylogenetically, these three taxa are closely related and form a coherent cluster in the phylogenetic tree. The genomic relatedness of P. goriensis DSM 18252(T) with T. saccharophilus JCM 21759(T) and T. halophilus JCM 21760(T) is 51.7 and 35.6 %, respectively, which is well below the value of 70 % recommended for delineation of species. P. goriensis differs from T. saccharophilus in motility, the Voges-Proskauer test and acid production from and utilization of some carbohydrates. Based on these analyses, we conclude that Pelagibacillus should not be considered a separate genus and hence Pelagibacillus goriensis should be transferred to the genus Terribacillus as Terribacillus goriensis comb. nov., with the type strain CL-GR16(T) (=KCCM 42329(T) =DSM 18252(T)).