Corynebacterium glaucum sp. nov.

A bacterial strain, strain IMMIB R-5091(T), isolated from a cosmetic dye was characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Chemotaxonomic investigations revealed the presence of cell-wall chemotype IV and short-chain mycolic acids consistent with the genus Corynebacterium. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the isolate constitutes a distinct subline within the genus Corynebacterium, displaying > 2.6% sequence divergence from established species. The isolate could be distinguished from other members of the genus Corynebacterium by biochemical tests. Based on both phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that strain IMMIB R-5091(T) (= DSM 44530T = NRRL B-24142(T)) be classified as the type strain of a novel species, Corynebacterium glaucum sp. nov.