ARS | Publication request: Two novel species Enterococcus lemanii sp. nov. and Enterococcus eurekensis sp. nov., isolated from a swine-manure storage pit

Submitted to: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 24, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Odor and emissions emanating from swine production facilities have increased the tension among rural neighbors and among urban and rural residents, as well as potentially impacting climate change. Storage of swine manure is associated with the production of a variety of odorous compounds, including ammonia, volatile organic acids and alcohols, sulfides, and greenhouse gases. In order to reduce production of odorous compounds and gaseous emissions, the responsible bacteria present in the fecal matter and manure storage pits must first be identified. We now report on the identification and scientific naming of two new species of anaerobic bacteria. The new species are Enterococcus lemanii and Enterococcus eurekensis. This information will be of use to other researchers and environmental agencies.

Technical Abstract: A polyphasic taxonomic study using morphological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic, and molecular genetic methods was performed on six strains of an unknown Gram-positive, nonspore-forming, facultative anaerobic coccus-shaped bacterium isolated from a swine-manure storage pit. On the basis of 16S rRNA, RNA polymerase a-subunit (rpoA), and cpn60 gene sequence analyses, it was shown that all the isolates were enterococci but formed two separate lines of descent. Pairwise 16S rRNA sequence comparisons demonstrated that the two novel organisms were most closely related to each other (97.9%) and to Enterococcus aquimarinus (97.8%). Both organisms contained major amounts of C16:0, C16:1 omega7c, C16:1 omega7c, and C18:1 omega7c/12t/9t as the major cellular fatty acids. Based on biochemical, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic evidence, the names Enterococcus lemanii sp. nov. (type strain PC32T = CCUG 61260T = NRRL B-59661T) and Enterococcus eurekensis sp. nov. (type strain PC4BT = CCUG 61259 T = NRRL B-59662 T) are proposed for the hitherto undescribed species.