Acetobacterium
Acetobacterium | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Firmicutes |
Class: | Clostridia |
Order: | Clostridiales |
Family: | Eubacteriaceae |
Genus: | Acetobacterium Balch et al.[1] |
Species | |
Acetobacterium bakii |
Acetobacterium is a genus of anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria that belong to the Eubacteriaceae family. The name has originated from the fact that they are acetogens, predominantly making acetic acid as a by-product of anaerobic metabolism. Most of the species reported in this genus are homoacetogens, i.e. solely producing acetic acid as their metabolic by-product. They should not be confused with acetic acid bacteria which are aerobic, gram-negative alphaproteobacteria and widely used to produce vinegar.
The type species of this genus is Acetobacterium woodii.[1] The genus name, Acetobacterium, was chosen despite the long-standing usage of the similar genus name Acetobacter for a main group of the acetic acid bacteria.
References
- 1 2 Balch, W. E.; Schoberth, S.; Tanner, R. S.; Wolfe, R. S. (1977). "Acetobacterium, a New Genus of Hydrogen-Oxidizing, Carbon Dioxide-Reducing, Anaerobic Bacteria". International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology 27 (4): 355. doi:10.1099/00207713-27-4-355.