Desulfatiferula olefinivorans gen. nov., sp nov., a long-chain n-alkene-degrading, sulfate-reducing bacterium

A novel anaerobic, long-chain alkene-degrading, sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain LM2801(T), was isolated from brackish sediment of a wastewater decantation facility of an oil refinery (Berre lagoon, France). Cells of strain LM2801(T) were Gram-negative, motile, slightly curved or vibrioid rods. Its optimum growth conditions were 30-36 degrees C, 6-10 g NaCl l(-1) and pH 7.5. Strain LM2801(T) incompletely oxidized long-chain alkenes (from C-14 to C-23) and fatty acids (C-14 to C-24)The DNA G + C content was 45.5 mol%. Sequence analyses of the 16S RNA and dsrAB genes indicated that the strain was a member of the family Desulfobacteraceae within the Deltaproteobacteria. This novel isolate possesses phenotypic and phylogenetic traits that do not allow its classification as a member of any previously described genus. Therefore, strain LM2801(T) is described as a member of a new genus, Desulfatiferula gen. nov., of which Desulfatiferula olefinivorans sp. nov. is the type species. The type strain of Desulfatiferula olefinivorans is LM2801(T) (=DSM 18843(T) =JCM 14469(T)).