Alicyclobacillaceae

Alicyclobacillaceae is a family of bacteria within the order Bacillales. This family is characterized by its ability to survive in acidic environments, such as fruit juices. The most well-known genus within this family is Alicyclobacillus.

Characteristics

Members of the Alicyclobacillaceae family are Gram-positive, spore-forming, and thermophilic, meaning they thrive in high-temperature environments. They are also acidophilic, or acid-loving, and can survive in environments with a pH as low as 2.0.

Genera

The Alicyclobacillaceae family currently includes the following genera:

• Alicyclobacillus
• Tumebacillus
• Effusibacillus
• Caldalkalibacillus

Importance in Food Industry

The genus Alicyclobacillus is of particular interest in the food industry due to its ability to survive pasteurization processes. This can lead to spoilage in fruit juices and other acidic food products. The most common species associated with spoilage is Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris.

See Also

• Bacteria
• Bacillales
• Food spoilage