PROPIONIBACTERIUM SPECIES-DIVERSITY IN ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS

Phenotypic characteristics of 60 strains of Propionibacterium isolated from anaerobic hybrid digesters treating landfill leachate and a baker's yeast factory effluent were analysed using numerical taxonomy. With the use of the S(SM) similarity coefficient, 92% of the anaerobic digester strains were grouped in eight major clusters. The isolates were identified by relating them to specific type strains and comparison of phenotypic characteristics. These clusters were equated with the 'classical' species P. acidipropionici, P. freudenreichii, P. jensenii and P. thoenii using the current classification system. Some of the digester isolates were identified to specifies level using the current identification system, but based on overall similarity they were clustered among members of another species. Furthermore, the data indicated that there was low similarity between the digester isolates and the type strains of P. jensenii and P. thoeni. A hypothesis is presented as to the role of these propionic acid-producing bacteria during the granulation process found in anaerobic digesters.