Properties of a New Group of Alkalophilic Bacteria

Abstract

Five strains of a new alkalophilic bacterium have been isolated from potato-processing effluent. These strains are Gram-positive, non-sporing, motile rods which form an orange, cell-bound pigment and are capable of growth in aerobic or anaerobic conditions at a pH up to 11·5 and between 7 and 43°C. For one representative strain the highest growth rate occurred in the pH range 8 to 10·5 and the minimum doubling time observed was 27 min at approximately 38°C. With glucose as substrate, lactate, acetate and formate were major end-products, the proportions depending on cultural conditions.