Anaerovorax odorimutans gen. nov., sp nov., a putrescine-fermenting, strictly anaerobic bacterium

strictly anaerobic, Cram-positive, non-spore-forming bacterium strain NorPut1(T) ferments putrescine to acetate, butyrate, molecular hydrogen and ammonia. It also utilizes 4-aminobutyrate and 4-hydroxyhutyrate as growth substrates. Comparative 165 rDNA sequence analysis confirmed a phylogenetic affiliation of this strain to the phylum of Cram-positive bacteria with low DNA G+C content. Together with its closest relative, 'Clostridium aminobutyricum' (DSM 2634), and several Eubacterium species, strain NorPut1(T) represents a well-defined monophyletic group. Moderate overall 165 rRNA sequence similarities (< 91%) were found for the NorPut1(T)/' Clostridium aminokutyricum'pair and several Eubacterium species. The type species, Eubacterium limosum, is not a member of the group and, together with Eubacterium barkeri and Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, represents a distant phylogentic cluster. Therefore, a new genus, Anaerovorax, is proposed as harbouring strain NorPut1(T) (= DSM 5692(T)), which is described as a new species, i.e. Anaerovorax odorimutans.