Fermentation of ethylene glycol by Clostridium glycolicum, sp. n.

Gaston, Lamont W. (National Heart Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.) and E. R. Stadtman. Fermentation of ethylene glycol by Clostridium glycolicum, sp. n. J. Bacteriol. 85:356-362. 1963.-An anaerobic organism which utilizes ethylene glycol as a source of energy and carbon has been isolated from mud. It is a long (5 mu), slender, motile, gram-positive, spore-forming rod, with peritrichous flagellae. It grows well from 22 to 37 C at pH 7.4 to 7.6, and ferments glucose, fructose, sorbitol, dulcitol, and cellulose. It does not reduce nitrates, form indole, or cause hemolysis or proteolysis except for a slight attack on coagulated egg albumin. Fifteen amino acids and the vitamins biotin and pantothenate are required for optimal growth on ethylene glycol. Analogues other than propylene glycol do not support growth. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are stoichiometrically converted to equal amounts of the respective acid and alcohol.