Clostridium acetobutylicum
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Clostridium acetobutylicum
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria (Domain); Firmicutes (Phylum); Clostridia (Class); Clostridiales (Order); Clostridiaceae (Family); Clostridium (Genus)
Species
Clostridium acetobutylicum
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Description and significance
Clostridium acetobutylicum is a Gram positive bacillus. It is anaerobic and saccharolytic capable of producing a number of different commercially useful products; most notably acetone, ethanol and butanol.
It was first isolated between 1912 and 1914. Chaim Weizmann cultured the bacteria to be used to produce acetone, ethanol and butanol (ABE method) which was used to produce TNT and gunpowder in the first World War.
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
Nolling J et al., "Genome sequence and comparative analysis of the solvent-producing bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum.", J Bacteriol, 2001 Aug;183(16):4823-38
Genome structure
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Cell structure and metabolism
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Ecology
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Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
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Current Research
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References
Taxonomy: NCBI
Edited by Mark Hower, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
