Arcobacter nitrofigilis DSM 7299

Arcobacter nitrofigilis (strain ATCC 33309 / DSM 7299 / LMG 7604 / NCTC 12251 / CI) is a microaerophilic, symbiotic Gram-negative bacterium isolated from the roots of Spartina alterniflora Loisel (cordgrass) growing in salty marshes on the east coast of Canada. The species epithet nitrofigilis means "nitrogen-fixing" and Arcobacter meaning "bow-shaped rod". A. nitrofigilis is of phylogenetic interest because of its lifestyle as a symbiotic organism in a marine environment in contrast to many other Arcobacter species which are associated with warm-blooded animals and tend to be pathogenic. A. nitrofigilis cells are Gram-negative, bow-shaped or curved rods. Motility is based on a single, polar flagellum and results in rapid corkscrew motion. The habitat of all known A. nitrofigilis isolates is either the roots or the sediment around the roots of S. alterniflora Loisel growing in salt marshes. Although no pathogenic association has been described so far, A. nitrofigilis is among five Arcobacter species that were isolated from food samples such as meat and shell-fish varieties. The optimum growth temperature is 30 degrees Celsius and the temperature range is from 10-37 degrees Celsius. Neither spores nor granules are present but a brown pigment is formed from tryptophan. Growth occurs under microaerophilic conditions with oxygen as terminal electron acceptor, and under anaerobic conditions fumarate or aspartates are necessary. The metabolism of A. nitrofigilis is chemoorganotrophic with organic acids and amino acids used as carbon sources but carbohydrates are neither oxidized nor fermented. All strains of the species are halotolerant and require a minimum of 0.5% NaCl for growth and can tolerate up to 7% NaCl. A. nitrofigilis is susceptible to cephalothin and nalidixic acid but is resistant to vancomycin. (adapted from: PMID 21304714). (EBI Integr8)