Isolation and characterization of Methylophaga sulfidovorans sp nov: An obligately methylotrophic, aerobic, dimethylsulfide oxidizing bacterium from a microbial mat

Sediment from a microbial mat from the South-West coast of the Netherlands consumed dimethylsulfide (DMS) under oxic and anoxic conditions. From this sediment, a Gram-negative, oval DMS oxidizing bacterium, strain RB-1, was isolated. Its substrate range is typical of an obligately methylotrophic organism. Enzyme analysis revealed the presence of the ribulose monophosphate pathway for carbon assimilation, and the ability to use the linear dissimilatory pathway via Formate to carbon dioxide, as well as the cyclic pathway via the ribulose monophosphate route for carbon dissimilation. 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed high similarity with species belonging to the genus Methylophaga. Because of the specific dimethylsulfide and hydrogen sulfide oxidizing capacity, the new isolate was named Methylophaga sulfidovorans.