Alginatibacterium

Alginatibacterium is a genus of bacteria in the family Rhodobacteraceae. The genus was first described in 2016, and currently includes two species: Alginatibacterium algicola and Alginatibacterium pacificum. These bacteria are known for their ability to degrade alginate, a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of brown algae.

Taxonomy

The genus Alginatibacterium belongs to the family Rhodobacteraceae, in the order Rhodobacterales, of the class Alphaproteobacteria. The genus was first described in 2016 by Wang et al., who isolated two species from marine environments: Alginatibacterium algicola from the brown alga Sargassum and Alginatibacterium pacificum from seawater in the Pacific Ocean.

Characteristics

Alginatibacterium species are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-spore-forming. They are aerobic bacteria, capable of growing in the presence of oxygen. The cells are motile, with a single polar flagellum.

Metabolism

Alginatibacterium species are known for their ability to degrade alginate, a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of brown algae. This ability is due to the presence of alginate lyase enzymes, which break down the alginate into smaller molecules that can be used by the bacteria for growth.

Ecology

Alginatibacterium species are found in marine environments, where they play a role in the degradation of algal biomass. They have been isolated from brown algae and seawater.