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MethylophilusRANK: GenusTAXONOMY: cellular organisms -> Bacteria -> Proteobacteria -> Betaproteobacteria -> Methylophilales -> Methylophilaceae -> Methylophilus OVERVIEW: When grown on methanol–mineral salts agar or in methanol–mineral salts liquid medium, the cells are straight or slightly curved rods, usually 0.3–0.6 × 0.8–1.5 μm, occurring singly or in pairs. Gram negative, but the stain is often not taken up well. Motile by polar flagella or nonmotile. Endospores are absent. No cellular inclusions. No sheaths or prosthecae detected. No capsules formed, but slime may be produced by some strains. Colonies on methanol–mineral salts agar plates incubated for 2 days at 30°C or 37°C are nonpigmented, circular, 1–2 mm in diameter, with entire edge, convex, translucent to opaque. Pyocyanin and fluorescein are not produced. No, or extremely poor, growth on nutrient agar and in nutrient broth incubated at 30°C or 37°C for 2 days. No, or extremely poor, growth on blood agar; no hemolysis. Optimal temperature, 30–37°C; no growth occurs at 4°C or 45°C. Optimal pH, 6.5–7.2. Aerobic. Metabolism respiratory; very little or no acid is produced from glucose. Methanol is oxidized as the sole carbon and energy source by all strains. In addition, a limited range of other carbon compounds such as methylamines, formate, glucose, and fructose may be utilized as sole carbon and energy sources. Methane is not used. Nutritionally nonexacting; nitrate and ammonium salts serve as nitrogen sources. Catalase positive and oxidase positive. The fatty acid composition is primarily of the nonhydroxylated straight-chain saturated and monounsaturated types with C16:0 and C16:1 predominating. The major isoprenoid quinone components are ubiquinones with eight isoprene units (Q-8). Isolated from activated sludge, mud, and river and pond water.The mol% G + C of the DNA is: 50 (Tm).Type species: Methylophilus methylotrophus
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