A novel mesophilic, aerotolerant anaerobic bacterium, designated JN-18T, was isolated from the pit mud of a strong aromatic Chinese liquor. According to a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it had the highest sequence similarity to Aminipila butyrica DSM 103574T (95.69%). The G+C content of its genomic DNA was 43.39 mol%. The cells were Gram-stain-negative, slightly curved rods with flagella. Optimum growth was observed at 37 °C, pH 6.5 and without extra addition of NaCl. Strain JN-18Tutilized amino acids (l-alanine, l-arginine, l-asparagine, l-lysine, l-methionine, l-serine and l-threonine), malate and pyruvate, and used l-arginine and l-lysine to produce acetate, butyrate, H2, and CO2. The major cellular fatty acids of strain JN-18T were C14:0, C16:0 DMA and C18:1 cis-9 DMA. The carbohydrate composition of the cell wall predominantly included galactose, glucose and rhamnose. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain JN-18T was classified as a representative of a novel species within the genus Aminipila, for which the name Aminipila luticellarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JN-18T (=CCAM 412T=JCM 39126T).
Keywords: Aminipila; aerotolerant anaerobe; phylogenetic analysis; pit mud.