Xinfangfangia soli gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a diuron-polluted soil.

A novel Gram-staining-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain ZQBWT, which was isolated from a diuron-polluted soil collected near Nanjing, PR China, was investigated for its taxonomic position by a polyphasic approach. ZQBWT grew well at pH 6.0-12.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 26-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and up to 0.5 % NaCl (optimally the absence of NaCl) in R2A broth. The major fatty acids of ZQBWT were C18 : 1ω7c (82.7 %) and C18 : 0 (5.3 %). The polar lipid profile included the major compounds phophatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 67.0 mol%. Comparisons with 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that ZQBWT has the highest sequence similarities with members of the genus Tabrizicola (≤95.97 %), followed by Rhodobacter(≤95.96 %) and Falsirhodobacter(95.95 %) which all belong to the family Rhodobacteraceaein the phylum Proteobacteria. Photosynthesis genes pufLM were not found and photosynthesis pigments were not formed in ZQBWT. On the basis of the results from chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis, ZQBWT represents a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Xinfangfangia soli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZQBWT (=KCTC 62102T=CCTCC AB 2017177T).

Bioaugmentation of chlorothalonil-contaminated soil with hydrolytically or reductively dehalogenating strain and its effect on soil microbial community.

Although bioaugmentation of pollutant-contaminated sites is a great concern, there are few reports on the relationships among indigenous microbial consortia, exogenous inocula, and pollutants in a bioaugmentation process. In this study, bioaugmentation with Pseudochrobactrum sp. BSQ1 and Massilia sp. BLM18, which can hydrolytically and reductively dehalogenate chlorothalonil (TPN), respectively, was studied for its ability to remove TPN from soil; the alteration of the soil microbial community during the bioaugmentation process was investigated. The results showed that TPN (50 mg/kg) was completely removed in both bioaugmentation treatments within 35 days with half-lives of 6.8 and 9.8 days for strains BSQ1 and BLM18 respectively. In high concentration of TPN-treated soils (100 mg/kg), the bioaugmentation with strains BSQ1 and BLM18 respectively reduced 76.7% and 62.0% of TPN within 35 days. The TPN treatment significantly decreased bacterial richness and diversity and improved the growth of bacteria related to the elimination of chlorinated organic pollutants. However, little influence on soil microbial community was observed for each inoculation treatment (without TPN treatment), showing that TPN treatment is the main force for the shift in indigenous consortia. This study provides insights into the effects of halogenated fungicide application and bioaugmentation on indigenous soil microbiomes.

Emticicia soli sp. nov., a novel member of the family 'Flexibacteraceae', isolated from tetrabromobisphenol A-contaminated soil.

Bacterial strain ZZ-4T, a Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, non-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from tetrabromobisphenol A-contaminated soil in PR China. The taxonomic position of this strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZZ-4T was a member of the genus Emticicia and showed the highest sequence similarity to Emticicia fontis IMCC1731T (98.0 %) and Emticicia ginsengisoli Gsoil 085T (97.2 %), and lower (<97 %) sequence similarity to other known Emticicia species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain ZZ-4T possessed menaquinone MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone; and iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω5c were the predominant fatty acids. Strain ZZ-4T showed low DNA-DNA relatedness with E. fontis IMCC1731T (39.8±3.1 %) and E. ginsengisoli Gsoil 085T (44.51±1.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 38.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain ZZ-4T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Emticicia, for which the name Emticicia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZZ-4T (=KCTC 52344T=CCTCC AB 2016137T).

Terrimonas suqianensis sp. nov., isolated from a tetrabromobisphenol A-contaminated soil.

Strain C3-5T, a Gram-negative, asporogenous, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from a tetrabromobisphenol A contaminated soil. Growth was observed at 10-37 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain C3-5T is a member of the genus Terrimonas and exhibits high sequence similarities with Terrimonas pekingensis QHT (99.0%) and Terrimonas rhizosphaerae CR94T (97.3%), and exhibits low (<97%) sequence similarities with other known Terrimonas species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain C3-5T possesses menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the major isoprenoid quinone and iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c) as the major (>5% of total) fatty acids. The polar lipids were determined to be a lipid, glycolipid, phospholipid, phosphoaminolipid and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was found to be 42.6 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values with the closely related strains T. pekingensis QHT and T. rhizosphaerae CR94T were 25.2 and 48.5%, respectively. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data, strain C3-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Terrimonas, for which the name Terrimonas suqianensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C3-5T (= CCTCC AB 2017042T = KCTC 52676T).

Aquamicrobium soli sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from a chlorobenzoate-contaminated soil.

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, short rod-shaped, asporogenous, non-motile bacterium designated strain NK8T was isolated from a chlorobenzoate contaminated soil in China. Strain NK8T was observed to grow optimally at pH 7.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl in LB medium. The G + C content of the total DNA of strain NK8T was found to be 65.5 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NK8T showed high similarity to that of Aquamicrobium aerolatum Sa14T (97.3%), followed by Aquamicrobium lusatiense S1T (96.7%) and Mesorhizobium sangali SCAU7T (96.6%). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain NK8T and A. aerolatum Sa14T was 35.5 ± 0.9%. The major fatty acids of strain NK8T were determined to be C19:0 cyclo ω8c (45.6%), C18:1 ω7c (33.4%) and C16:0 (8.4%). The respiratory quinone was found to be ubiquinone Q-10. The major polyamine was found to be spermidine. The polar lipid profile include the major compounds phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol, and moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, aminolipid and phospholipid. Based on the differential biochemical and physiological characteristics, the geno-, chemo- and phenotypic characteristics, strain NK8T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Aquamicrobium, Aquamicrobium soli sp. nov. The type strain is NK8T (=KCTC 52165T=CCTCC AB2016045T).

Biodegradation of the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid by a New Isolated Strain of Achromobacter sp. LZ35.

In this study, a bacterial strain of Achromobacter sp. LZ35, which was capable of utilizing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) as the sole sources of carbon and energy for growth, was isolated from the soil in a disused pesticide factory in Suzhou, China. The optimal 2,4-D degradation by strain LZ35 occurred at 30 °C and pH 8.0 when the initial 2,4-D concentration was 200 mg L-1. Strain LZ35 harbored the conserved 2,4-D/alpha-ketoglutarate dioxygenase (96%) and 2,4-dichlorophenol hydroxylase (99%), and catabolized 2,4-D via the intermediate 2,4-dichlorophenol. The inoculation of 7.8 × 106 CFU g-1 soil of strain LZ35 cells to 2,4-D-contaminated soil could efficiently remove over 75 and 90% of 100 and 50 mg L-1 2,4-D in 12 days and significantly released the phytotoxicity of maize caused by the 2,4-D residue. This is the first report of an Achromobacter sp. strain that was capable of mineralizing both 2,4-D and MCPA. This study provides us a promising candidate for its application in the bioremediation of 2,4-D- or MCPA-contaminated sites.

Haoranjiania flava gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Chitinophagaceae, isolated from activated sludge.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming and short rod-shaped bacterium, strain LIP-5T, isolated from an activated sludge in a pesticide factory in Xinyi, China, was investigated for its taxonomic position by a polyphasic approach. Cell growth occurred at 16-42 °C (optimum, 30 °C), in the presence of 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, without NaCl) and at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the isolate was a member of the family Chitinophagaceae, with the closest relatives being Arachidicoccus rhizosphaerae Vu-144T (93.5 % similarity), followed by Heliimonas saccharivorans L2-4T (90.5 %) and Chitinophaga ginsengisoli Gsoil 052T (89.6 %). Menaquinone 7 (MK-7) was the predominant respiratory ubiquinone and phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified lipids were the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids of strain LIP-5T were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, and there were also moderate amounts of iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C17 : 0 2-OH. The DNA G+C content was 42.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain LIP-5T was classified as representing a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Haoranjiania flava gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Haoranjiania flava is LIP-5T (=CCTCC AB 2015365T=KCTC 42956T).

Huakuichenia soli gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Microbacteriaceae, isolated from contaminated soil.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain designated LIP-1T was isolated from the contaminated soil of a pesticide factory in Xinyi, China, was investigated for its taxonomic allocation by a polyphasic approach. Cell growth occurred at 16-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), in the presence of 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %) and at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). The major fatty acids of strain LIP-1T were anteiso-C15 : 0 (50.8 %), iso-C16 : 0 (17.6 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (17.4 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was B2δ with 2,4-diaminobutyric acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified glycolipids. The major menaquinones were MK-12 and MK-11. The genomic DNA G+C content was approximately 63.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain LIP-1T formed a distinct clade within the radiation of the family Microbacteriaceae and had the highest sequence similarity with Microbacterium ginsengisoli Gsoil 259T (96.01 %) followed by Cryobacterium arcticum SK1T (94.94 %). On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses and distinct phenotypic characteristics, a new genus, namely Huakuichenia gen. nov., is proposed, harbouring the novel species Huakuichenia soli gen. nov., sp. nov. with the type strain LIP-1T (=CCTCC AB 2015422T=KCTC 39698T).

Devosia honganensis sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a chemical factory.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NSL10(T), was isolated from the waste surface soil of a chemical factory in Hongan, China. Strain NSL10(T) was found to grow optimally at pH 7.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl in modified LB medium. Cells were found to be positive for catalase and oxidase. The G+C content of the total DNA was determined to be 66.8 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NSL10(T) showed the highest similarity to that of Devosia albogilva IPL15(T) (96.80 %), followed by Devosia geojensis BD-c194(T) (96.46 %) and Devosia chinhatensis IPL18(T) (96.27 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain NSL10(T) were identified as C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c (48.2 %) and C16:0 (17.7 %). The major polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified compound. Minor amounts of unidentified glycolipids and unidentified polar lipids were also detected. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain NSL10(T) to the genus Devosia. In conclusion, on the basis of biochemical, physiological characteristics and molecular properties, strain NSL10(T) represents a novel species within the genus Devosia, for which the name Devosia honganensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is NSL10(T) (=KCTC 42281(T) = ACCC 19737(T)).

Qingshengfania soli gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the order Rhizobiales isolated from the soil of a pesticide factory.

Two Gram-stain negative, coccoid to oval-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria (LR4T and LR4-1), isolated from the soil of a pesticide factory in Nanjing, China, were investigated for their taxonomic allocation by using a polyphasic approach. Both strains grew optimally at pH 7.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl. Both strains were positive for catalase and oxidase activities. Q-10 was the predominant respiratory ubiquinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and two unknown aminolipids. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c (summed feature 8) and C17:1 iso I/C17:1 anteiso B (summed feature 4). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the two isolates formed a distinct line within a clade containing the genera Chelatococcus, Bosea, Camelimonas, Salinarimonas, Psychroglaciecola, Microvirga, Methylobacterium, Albibacter, Hansschlegelia and Methylopila in the order Rhizobiales, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Chelatococcus asaccharovorans TE2T (94.12 %), followed by Bosea thiooxidans DSM 9653T (93.25 %). Strains LR4T and LR4-1 were closely related on the basis of DNA-DNA reassociation and therefore represent a single novel species. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strains LR4T and LR4-1 represent a novel species of a new genus in the order Rhizobiales, for which the name Qingshengfania soli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is LR4T ( = CCTCC AB 2015036T = KCTC 42463T).

Camelimonas fluminis sp. nov., a cyhalothrin-degrading bacterium isolated from river water.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, cyhalothrin-degrading bacterial strain, XZ2(T), was isolated from the surface water of Hanjiang River in Wuhan, China. Strain XZ2(T) grew optimally at pH 6.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl. The G+C content of the total DNA was 64.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain XZ2(T) showed the highest similarity to that of Camelimonas lactis M 2040(T) (99.1%), followed by Camelimonas abortus UK34/07-5(T) (95.9%) and Chelatococcus daeguensis K106(T) (95.3%). The major cellular fatty acids of strain XZ2(T) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (63.1%), C16 : 0 (15.0%) and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8; 8.9%). C18 : 0 3-OH was also detected as the major hydroxylated fatty acid. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The polar lipid profile included the major compounds phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol, and moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified aminolipids. The predominant compound in the polyamine pattern was spermidine. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain XZ2(T) to the genus Camelimonas. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain XZ2(T) and Camelimonas lactis M 2040(T) was 43.5 ± 0.6%. DNA-DNA hybridization data as well as biochemical and physiological characteristics strongly supported the genotypic and phenotypic differentiations between strain XZ2(T) and Camelimonas lactis M 2040(T). Therefore, strain XZ2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Camelimonas, for which the name Camelimonas fluminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XZ2(T) ( = KCTC 42282(T) = ACCC 19738(T)).

Sphingomonas chloroacetimidivorans sp. nov., a chloroacetamide herbicide-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge.

Strain Y1(T), a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from activated sludge. This strain is able to degrade several commonly used chloroacetamide herbicides, such as butachlor, acetochlor and alachlor. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Y1(T) is a member of the genus Sphingomonas and shows high sequence similarities with S. starnbergensis 382(T) (95.7 %), S. sanxanigenens NX02(T) (95.7 %) and S. haloaromaticamans A175(T) (95.3 %), and shows low (<95 %) sequence similarities to all other Sphingomonas species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain Y1(T) possesses Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone, C14:0 2-OH as the major 2-hydroxy fatty acid and sym-homospermidine as the major polyamine. The main cellular fatty acids of strain Y1(T) were found to be C18:1 ω7c (38.2 %), C16:1 ω6c/C16:1 ω7c (28.5 %), C16: 0 (10.7 %) and C14:0 2-OH (14.3 %). The main polar lipids were determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipids (SGL1-SGL3), phosphatidyl dimethylethanolamine and aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content was found to be 66 ± 0.4 mol%. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data, strain Y1(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas chloroacetimidivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y1(T) (=CCTCC AB 2011178(T) = KACC 16607(T)).

Flavobacterium shanxiense sp. nov., isolated from soil.

Strain YF-2(T), a Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, light-yellow-pigmented bacterium, was isolated from soil samples collected in the city of Yuncheng, Shanxi province of China. Strain YF-2(T) grew over a temperature range of 25-37 °C, at pH 5.0-8.0 and with 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequence of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain YF-2(T) was closely related to strains Flavobacterium akiainvivens CIP 110358(T) and Flavobacterium hauense KCTC 32147(T) with 95.99 and 95.92 % sequence similarity, respectively. The dominant fatty acids of strain YF-2(T) were Summed Feature 3 (comprising C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) (21.97 %), iso-C15:0 (18.65 %), iso-C17:0 3OH (11.41 %), C16:0 (9.92 %), and anteiso-C15:0 (6.21 %). It contained phosphatidylethanolamine and menaquinone MK-6 as major polar lipid and respiratory quinone, respectively. Strain YF-2(T) differs from other Flavobacterium species in many characteristics and represents a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium shanxiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain YF-2(T) (=CCTCC AB 2014079(T) = JCM 30153(T)).

Chryseobacterium shandongense sp. nov., isolated from soil.

YF-3T is a Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, yellow-orange, rod-shaped bacterium. Optimal growth conditions were at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and 1 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis, on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, showed that strain YF-3T was closely related to the strains Chryseobacterium hispalense AG13T and Chryseobacterium taiwanense Soil-3-27T with 98.71 % and 96.93 % sequence similarity, respectively. Strain YF-3T contained MK-6 as the main menaquinone and had a polyamine pattern with sym-homospermidine as the major component. Its major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The dominant fatty acids of strain YF-3T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 9 (comprising iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl) and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain YF-3T was 37 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness levels between strain YF-3T and the most closely related strains, C. hispalense AG13T and C. taiwanense Soil-3-27T, were 31.7 ± 2.1 % and 28.4 ± 5.4 %, respectively. Based on these results, a novel species named Chryseobacterium shandongense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YF-3T ( = CCTCC AB 2014060T = JCM 30154T).

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

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-motile bacterial strain, designated BUT-6(T), was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater-treatment facility. The strain grew at 15-35 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 4.0-10.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that strain BUT-6(T) was most closely related to Tahibacter aquaticus PYM5-11(T) (98.6 % similarity). However, the DNA-DNA relatedness between strain BUT-6(T) and T. aquaticus PYM5-11(T) was 47.1 %. The major fatty acids (>10 % of total fatty acids) of strain BUT-6(T) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and iso-C17 : 0. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The profile of polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid, three unknown aminolipids and unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G+C content of strain BUT-6(T) was 71.7 mol%. On the basis of the data from the polyphasic taxonomic study presented, strain BUT-6(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Tahibacter, for which the name Tahibacter caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BUT-6(T) ( = CCTCC AB 2013266(T) = KACC 17139(T)).

Pseudoxanthobacter liyangensis sp. nov., isolated from dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-contaminated soil.

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, pale, rod-shaped, nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain, DDT-3(T), was isolated from dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-contaminated soil in Liyang, PR China. Strain DDT-3(T) grew at temperatures ranging from 20 to 40 °C (optimum 30-37 °C) and a pH of between 5.0 and 10.0 (optimum pH 7.0-8.0). The G+C content of the total DNA was 70.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DDT-3(T) showed the highest similarity to that of Pseudoxanthobacter soli CC4(T) (99.6%), followed by Kaistia dalseonensis B6-8(T) (93.3%), Kaistia soli 5YN9-8(T) (93.0%) and Amorphus orientalis YIM D10(T) (93.0%). Strain DDT-3(T) showed less than 92.6 % similarity with other species of the family Xanthobacteraceae. The major cellular fatty acids of strain DDT-3(T) were C19:0 cyclo ω8c (42.6%), C16:0 (33.2%) and C18:1ω7c (10.0%). The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The characteristic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were glycolipid, lipid, phosphatidylcholine, aminolipid, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The polyamine profile consisted of major amounts of putrescine (92.9%) and minor amounts of spermidine (5.0%) and spermine (2.1%). These chemotaxonomic data support the affiliation of strain DDT-3(T) with the genus Pseudoxanthobacter. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain DDT-3(T) and strain CC4(T) was 47.8% (reciprocal 44.3%). DNA-DNA hybridization data as well as the biochemical and physiological characteristics strongly supported the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain DDT-3(T) and strain CC4(T). Strain DDT-3(T), therefore, represents a novel species of the genus Pseudoxanthobacter, for which the name Pseudoxanthobacter liyangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DDT-3(T) ( = KACC 16601(T) = CCTCC AB 2013167(T)).

Rhodoligotrophos jinshengii sp. nov., isolated from activated sludge.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, ovoid, aerobic bacterial strain, designated BUT-3(T), was isolated from activated sludge from the wastewater treatment facility of a herbicide-manufacturing plant in Kunshan city, Jiangsu province, PR China. Strain BUT-3(T) grew between 15 and 40 °C, with optimum growth at 30 °C. The pH range for growth was between 5.0 and 10.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The range of NaCl concentrations for growth of strain BUT-3(T) was 0-7.0 % (w/v), with an optimum of 1.5-3.0 % (w/v). A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain BUT-3(T) clustered closely with Rhodoligotrophos appendicifer 120-1(T) (98.32 % similarity), with a bootstrap confidence level of 100 %. The major fatty acids (>5 % of total fatty acids) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Strain BUT-3(T) contained ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipid profile comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified aminolipids (AL1-3), two unknown phospholipids (PL1, 5), four unidentified glycolipids (GL1-4) and two unknown lipids (L1, 2). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 67.7 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between BUT-3(T) and R. appendicifer 120-1(T) was 44.1±0.6 %. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, strain BUT-3(T) should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Rhodoligotrophos, for which the name Rhodoligotrophos jinshengii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BUT-3(T) ( = CCTCC AB2013083(T) = KACC 17220(T)).

Novel three-component Rieske non-heme iron oxygenase system catalyzing the N-dealkylation of chloroacetanilide herbicides in sphingomonads DC-6 and DC-2.

Sphingomonads DC-6 and DC-2 degrade the chloroacetanilide herbicides alachlor, acetochlor, and butachlor via N-dealkylation. In this study, we report a three-component Rieske non-heme iron oxygenase (RHO) system catalyzing the N-dealkylation of these herbicides. The oxygenase component gene cndA is located in a transposable element that is highly conserved in the two strains. CndA shares 24 to 42% amino acid sequence identities with the oxygenase components of some RHOs that catalyze N- or O-demethylation. Two putative [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin genes and one glutathione reductase (GR)-type reductase gene were retrieved from the genome of each strain. These genes were not located in the immediate vicinity of cndA. The four ferredoxins share 64 to 72% amino acid sequence identities to the ferredoxin component of dicamba O-demethylase (DMO), and the two reductases share 62 to 65% amino acid sequence identities to the reductase component of DMO. cndA, the four ferredoxin genes, and the two reductases genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant proteins were purified using Ni-affinity chromatography. The individual components or the components in pairs displayed no activity; the enzyme mixture showed N-dealkylase activities toward alachlor, acetochlor, and butachlor only when CndA-His6 was combined with one of the four ferredoxins and one of the two reductases, suggesting that the enzyme consists of three components, a homo-oligomer oxygenase, a [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin, and a GR-type reductase, and CndA has a low specificity for the electron transport component (ETC). The N-dealkylase utilizes NADH, but not NADPH, as the electron donor.

Chryseomicrobium aureum sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from activated sludge.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacterial strain, designated BUT-2(T), was isolated from activated sludge of one herbicide-manufacturing wastewater-treatment facility in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, China, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic studies. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain BUT-2(T) shared the highest similarity with Chryseomicrobium amylolyticum (98.98%), followed by Chryseomicrobium imtechense (98.88%), with less than 96% similarlity to members of the genera Paenisporosarcina, Planococcus, Sporosarcina and Planomicrobium. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain BUT-2(T) clustered with C. amylolyticum JC16(T) and C. imtechense MW10(T), occupying a distinct phylogenetic position. The major fatty acid (>10% of total fatty acids) type of strain BUT-2(T) was iso-C(15 : 0). The quinone system comprised menaquinone MK-7 (77.8%), MK-6 (11.9%) and MK-8 (10.3%). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and some unidentified phospholipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type of strain BUT-2(T) was L-Orn-D-Glu. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain BUT-2(T) was 48.5 mol%. Furthermore, the DNA-DNA relatedness in hybridization experiments against the reference strain was lower than 70%, confirming that strain BUT-2(T) did not belong to previously described species of the genus Chryseomicrobium. On the basis of its morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as phylogenetic analysis, strain BUT-2(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Chryseomicrobium, for which the name Chryseomicrobium aureum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BUT-2(T) ( = CCTCC AB2013082(T) = KACC 17219(T)).

Xenophilus arseniciresistens sp. nov., an arsenite-resistant bacterium isolated from soil.

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped, arsenite [As(III)]-resistant bacterium, designated strain YW8(T), was isolated from agricultural soil. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed over 97% sequence similarity to strains of the environmental species Xenophilus azovorans, Xenophilus aerolatus, Simplicispira metamorpha, Variovorax soli, and Xylophilus ampelinus. However, the phylogenetic tree indicated that strain YW8(T) formed a separate clade from Xenophilus azovorans. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed that the DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain YW8(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 24.2-35.5%, which clearly separated the strain from these closely related species. The major cellular fatty acids of strain YW8(T) were C(16 : 0), C(17 : 0) cyclo, C(18 : 1)ω7c, and summed feature 3(C(16 : 1)ω6c and/or C(16 : 1)ω7c). The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.3 mol%, and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown phospholipids, an unknown polar lipid and phosphatidylserine. The major polyamines were 2-hydroxyputrescine and putrescine. On the basis of morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, phylogenetic position, DNA-DNA hybridization and chemotaxonomic data, strain YW8(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Xenophilus, for which the name Xenophilus arseniciresistens sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is YW8(T) ( = CCTCC AB2012103(T) = KACC 16853(T)).