ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MODERATELY THERMOPHILIC ANAEROBIC ALKALIPHILE, CLOSTRIDIUM-PARADOXUM SP-NOV

Alkaliphilic, moderately thermophilic anaerobic bacteria able to grow above pH 10.5 and 55-degrees-C were isolated from various sewage plants in the United States. The strains were motile with two to six peritrichous flagella and formed round to slightly oval terminal spores in terminally distended and slightly enlarged cells. Sporulated cells remained motile. The pH range for growth was between 7.0 and 11.1, with an optimum of around 10.1. At pH 10.1 the temperature range for growth was between 30 and 63-degrees-C, with an optimum of 56-degrees-C. The shortest observed doubling time (glucose) was around 16 min at 56-degrees-C and pH 10.1. No dissimilatory sulfate reduction was detected. The organism utilized glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and pyruvate but required yeast extract or tryptone for growth. Optimal NaCl concentrations for growth were between 50 and 200 mM. The guanine-plus-cytosine content was 30.0 +/- 0.10 mol%. On the basis of unique properties and 16S rRNA analysis, the strains are placed in a new species, Clostridium paradoxum, referring to the unusual retainment of motility by sporulated cells. Strain JW-YL-7 (DSM 7308) is designated as the type strain.