Oxalotrophic bacteria

Oxalic acid and its salts are widespread in nature, as they are produced by many species of plants, algae and fungi. The bacteria, which are capable of using oxalate as a sole carbon and energy source, are described as being oxalotrophic. Oxalotrophic bacteria do not constitute a homogeneous taxonomic group, but they do constitute a well-defined physiological group. A limited number of aerobic bacteria which are able to utilize oxalate as sole carbon and energy source have been completely described. Most of them are facultative methylotrophs and/or facultative hydrogen-oxidizing chemlithoautotrophs. In this review, the current status of the taxonomy and biodiversity of oxalotrophic bacteria in various environments, and aspects of their biotechmological potential, are briefly summarized. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.