Paenibacillus macerans | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Kingdom: | Bacillati |
Phylum: | Bacillota |
Class: | Bacilli |
Order: | Paenibacillales |
Family: | Paenibacillaceae |
Genus: | Paenibacillus |
Species: | P. macerans |
Binomial name | |
Paenibacillus macerans | |
Synonyms | |
Bacillus macerans Contents |
Paenibacillus macerans is a diazotroph bacterium found in soil and plants capable of nitrogen fixation and fermentation. This bacteria was originally discovered in 1905 by an Austrian biologist named Schardinger and thought to be a bacillus. [1]
Paenibacillus macerans is a part of the family Paenibacillaceae which are facultative anaerobes. It is gram-variable, being gram-positive or gram-negative rods. [2] Does not have a capsule and has peritrichous flagella for movement. It does form ellipsoidal, terminal, or subterminal spores which may last in the soil for many years. [3]
Paenibacillus. macerans can be grown in the lab on a nutrient agar with a slightly acidic pH around 5. Optimal growth temperature is 30 °C. No growth in 5% NaCl. [3]
Paenibacillus. macerans has been shown to have some of the broadest metabolic capabilities of any of the genus Paenibacillus . It is able to ferment hexoses, deoxyhexoses, pentoses, cellulose, hemicellulose and glycerol under anaerobic conditions. [4] The high fermentation rates of glycerol makes this an important organism in the study of fuel and chemical production. P. macerans also produces a significant amount of histamines which may cause allergies in some individuals if ingested. [5] This bacterium is a facultative anaerobe capable of nitrogen fixation so in the absence of oxygen it is able to convert nitrogen gas to ammonia which is more easily used by plants. [6]
Paenibacillus macerans is usually found in soil and plant materials but has also been identified in blood cultures of infants with infection. [7] The bacterium is not normally pathogenic in humans but could cause allergies as a result of its histamine producing properties. [4]