Desulfatirhabdium

Desulfatirhabdium is a genus of bacteria from the family of Sporomusaceae. The bacteria are anaerobic, gram-negative, and non-spore-forming. They are known for their ability to reduce sulfate to sulfide, a process that is important in the sulfur cycle.

Characteristics

The bacteria in the genus Desulfatirhabdium are rod-shaped and motile. They are anaerobic, meaning they can survive in environments with little or no oxygen. They are also gram-negative, which means they have a thin peptidoglycan cell wall sandwiched between an inner cytoplasmic cell membrane and a bacterial outer membrane.

Desulfatirhabdium bacteria do not form spores, which are a form of dormant bacteria that are resistant to harsh conditions. This is a characteristic of the Sporomusaceae family.

Metabolism

Desulfatirhabdium bacteria are known for their ability to reduce sulfate to sulfide, a process known as sulfate reduction. This process is an important part of the sulfur cycle, which is the series of processes by which sulfur moves between rocks, water, and living systems.

Importance

The ability of Desulfatirhabdium bacteria to reduce sulfate to sulfide has important implications for the environment and for industry. For example, the sulfide produced by these bacteria can be used in the production of sulfuric acid, which is used in a wide range of industrial processes.

See also

• Sulfate-reducing bacteria
• Sulfur cycle
• Sporomusaceae