Reclassification of Geobacillus pallidus (Scholz et al. 1988) Banat et al. 2004 as Aeribacillus pallidus gen. nov., comb. nov.

Abstract

Although Anoxybacillus and Geobacillus, two genera of thermophilic bacteria close to the genus Bacillus, have only been described recently, the number of species in these genera has increased rapidly. Four thermophilic, lipolytic strains (DR01, DR02, DR03 and DR04) isolated from a hot spring in Veracruz (Mexico), which could not be identified phenotypically, were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Three strains were identified as belonging to the genus Anoxybacillus, but strain DR03 was identified as Geobacillus pallidus. This result led us to perform a phylogenetic analysis of the genera Anoxybacillus and Geobacillus based on 16S rRNA gene sequences from all the type strains of these genera. Phylogenetic trees showed three major clusters, Anoxybacillus–Geobacillus tepidamans, Geobacillus sensu stricto and Geobacillus pallidus, while the 16S rRNA gene sequences of G. pallidus (DR03 and the type strain) showed low similarity to sequences of Anoxybacillus (92.5–95.1 %) and Geobacillus (92.8–94.5 %) species, as well as to Bacillus subtilis (92.2–92.4 %). In addition, G. pallidus could be differentiated from Anoxybacillus and Geobacillus on the basis of DNA G+C content and fatty acid and polar lipid profiles. From these results, it is proposed that Geobacillus pallidus should be classified in a novel genus, for which we propose the name Aeribacillus, as Aeribacillus pallidus gen. nov., comb. nov. The type strain of Aeribacillus pallidus is H12T (=ATCC 51176T =DSM 3670T =LMG 19006T).

A standard bacterial isolate set for research on contemporary dairy spoilage

“…Different species of the genus Geobacillus are also frequently identified as contaminants of dairy powders and inhabitants of dairypowder production facilities (Ronimus et al, 2003). Aeribacillus pallidus (formerly known as Geobacillus pallidus; Miñana-Galbis et al, 2010) has also been reported as a dominant species, in dairy powders, that produces highly thermoresistant spores (Lücking et al, 2013). These bacterial contaminants are generally regarded as hygiene indicators, and only a small part of them can cause actual product defect.…”

Cutaneous Burn Injury Promotes Shifts in the Bacterial Microbiome in Autologous Donor Skin

“…Donor skin and burn margin were enriched with several taxa in comparison to control skin, including Aeribacillus ( p <0.005 and p <0.03, respectively), Caldalkalibacillus , ( p <0.02 and p <0.02, respectively) and Nesterenkonia ( p <0.004 and p <0.0007, respectively). These taxa are similar in that they are extremophiles, specifically thermophilic or halophilic (21–23), and have not been extensively associated or studied in the context of pathogenesis in humans. In contrast, Corynebacterium , a widespread skin commensal, was significantly lower in both donor skin and burn margin relative to control skin ( p <0.001 and p <0.02, respectively).…”

Characterization and emulsifying property of a novel bioemulsifier by Aeribacillus pallidus YM-1

“…The 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the isolate YM-1 (HQ637544) had 100% homology with A. pallidus NCCP-131 (AB543491). The isolate YM-1 was Gram positive, spore forming with rod cells and was confirmed as A. pallidus (Bodour et al 2003;Minana-Galbis et al 2010;Mnif et al 2011).…”