Description of Acetobacter oboediens sp. nov. and Acetobacter pomorum sp. nov., two new species isolated from industrial vinegar fermentations.

Two strains of Acetobacter sp., LTH 2460T and LTH 2458T, have been isolated from running red wine and cider vinegar fermentations, respectively. Taxonomic characteristics of the isolates were investigated. Comparative analysis of the 165 rRNA sequences revealed > 99% similarity between strain LTH 2460T and the type strains of the related species Acetobacter europaeus and Acetobacter xylinus and between strain LTH 2458T and Acetobacter pasteurianus. On the other hand, low levels of DNA relatedness (< 34%) were determined in DNA-DNA similarity studies. This relatedness below the species level was consistent with specific physiological characteristics permitting clear identification of these strains within established species of acetic acid bacteria. Based on these results, the names Acetobacter oboediens sp. nov. and Acetobacter pomorum sp. nov. are proposed for strains LTH 2460T and LTH 2458T, respectively. The phylogenetic positions of the new species are reflected by a 16S rRNA-based tree. Furthermore, a 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe specific for A. oboediens was constructed.