Halocella cellulolytica gen. nov., sp. nov., a New Obligately Anaerobic, Halophilic, Cellulolytic bacterium

A new halophilic cellulolytic bacterium isolated from hypersaline lagoons of Lake Sivash (Crimea) is described. The organism is an obligate anaerobe. Concentrations of between 5% and 20% NaCl are required for growth; optimum growth occurs at a concentration of 15% NaCl. The cells are Gram-negative, motile rods, 0.4–0.6 × 3.8–12.0 μm in size. Cellulose, starch and a wide variety of carbohydrates are utilized. The products of cellulose fermentation are acetate, ethanol, lactate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The temperature range for growth is 20–50°C (opt. 39°C). The pH range is 5.5–8.5 (opt. 7.0). The G+C content of the DNA is 29 mol.%. The bacterium differs from other anaerobes and halophiles described in the literature. The name Halocella cellulolytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is z-10151.