The Aerobic Pseudomonads a Taxonomic Study

TLDR

A collection of 267 aerobic pseudomonad strains representing major biotypes was examined to characterize their biochemical, physiological, and nutritional traits. The study tested 146 organic compounds as carbon/energy sources and assessed additional traits such as extracellular hydrolase production, nitrogen and growth factor utilization, chemolithotrophy, denitrification, pigment synthesis, poly‑p‑hydroxybutyrate accumulation, aromatic ring‑cleavage pathways, and the aerobic electron transport system. The data uncovered numerous previously unrecognized taxonomic characters, allowing the clear differentiation of a limited number of species among the examined biotypes based on multiple unrelated phenotypic differences.

Abstract

SUMMARY A collection of 267 strains, representing many of the principal biotypes among aerobic pseudomonads, has been subjected to detailed study, with particular emphasis on biochemical, physiological and nutritional characters. A total of 146 different organic compounds were tested for their ability to serve as sources of carbon and energy. Other characters that were studied included : production of extracellular hydrolases; nitrogen sources and growth factor requirements H-chemolithotrophy; denitrifying ability; pigment production; ability to accumulate poly-p-hydroxybutyrate as a cellular reserve material; biochemical mechanisms of aromatic ring cleavage; and nature of the aerobic electron transport system. The resultant data have revealed many hitherto unrecognized characters of taxonomic significance. As a consequence, it has become possible to recognize among the biotypes examined a limited number of species which can be readily and clearly distinguished from one another by multiple, unrelated phenotypic differences.