Ralstonia taiwanensis sp nov., isolated from root nodules of Mimosa species and sputum of a cystic fibrosis patient

A polyphasic taxonomic study, including 16S rDNA sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridizations, DNA base ratio determinations, amplified 16S rDNA restriction analysis, whole-cell protein analyses and extensive biochemical characterization, was conducted to clarify the relationships of eight isolates from root nodules of Mimosa species and one isolate from sputum of a cystic fibrosis patient. All nine isolates were classified as a novel Ralstonia species, for which the name Ralstonia taiwanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 19424(T) (= CCUG 44338(T)). R. taiwanensis effectively nodulated the Mimosa species and is the first beta -proteobacterium that is known to be capable of root nodule formation and nitrogen fixation.