Table 1 Methanogens Characterized in this Study. Displays a summary of the four methanogens sequenced: Mbac. bryantii isolation data from [46, 47], Msar. spelaei isolation data from [48], Msph. cuniculi isolation data from [45], Mcor. parvum isolation data from [44]
From: Genomic analysis of methanogenic archaea reveals a shift towards energy conservation
Methanobacterium bryantii | Methanosphaera cuniculi | Methanosarcina spelaei | Methanocorpusculum parvum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Current Classification | Archaea, Euryarchaeota, Methanobacteria, Methanobacteriales, Methanobacteriaceae, Methanobacterium, bryantii | Archaea, Euryarchaeota, Methanobacteria, Methanobacteriales, Methanobacteriaceae, Methanosphaera, cuniculi | Archaea, Euryarchaeota, Methanomicrobia, Methanosarcinales, Methanosarcinaceae, Methanosarcina, spelaei | Archaea, Euryarchaeota, Methanomicrobia, Methanomicrobiales, Methanocorpusculaceae, Methanocorpusculum, parvum |
Methanogen Class [18] | Class I | Class I | Class III | Class II |
Gram stain | Variable | Gram-positive | Gram-negative | Gram-negative |
Cell shape | Rod | Coccus | Sarcina-like coccus | Irregular coccus |
Motility | Non-motile | Non-motile | Non-motile | Weakly motile by single flagellum |
Sporulation | Nonsporulating | Nonsporulating | Nonsporulating | Nonsporulating |
Optimal temperature range | 37–45 °C | 35–40 °C | 33 °C | 15–45 °C |
Oxygen requirement | Strictly anaerobic | Strictly anaerobic | Strictly anaerobic | Strictly anaerobic |
Carbon Assimilation | CO2 Autotrophy | Requires Acetate | CO2 Autotrophy | Requires Acetate or Yeast Extract |
Energy source | H2/CO2 | H2/methanol | H2/CO2, acetate, methanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine | H2/CO2, formate, 2-propanol/CO2 |
Biosafety level | BSL 1 | BSL 1 | BSL 1 | BSL 1 |
Isolation source | Syntrophic culture isolated from sewage sludge | Intestinal tract of a rabbit | Subsurface sulfurous lake | Anaerobic sour whey digester inoculated with sewage sludge |