Syntrophus buswellii gen. nov., sp. nov.: a Benzoate Catabolizer from Methanogenic Ecosystems

Abstract

Syntrophus buswellii, which was isolated from anaerobic digestor sludge and is present in aquatic sediments, is a motile, gram-negative, anaerobic rod-shaped organism that requires coculture with an appropriate hydrogenotroph for growth. This bacterium produces acetate, CO₂, and H₂ (or formate) from benzoate and, possibly, hydrocinnamate (phenyl-3-propionate). A detailed description is given.