title: Heterotrophic bacteria growing in association with Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) in a single cell protein production process.
abstract: The methanotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) grows on pure methane. However, in a single cell protein production process using natural gas as methane source, a bacterial consortium is necessary to support growth over longer periods in continuous cultures. In different bioreactors of Norferm Danmark A/S, three bacteria consistently invaded M. capsulatus cultures growing under semi-sterile conditions in continuous culture. These bacteria have now been identified as a not yet described member of the Aneurinibacillus group, a Brevibacillus agri strain, and an acetate-oxidiser of the genus Ralstonia. The physiological roles of these bacteria in the bioreactor culture growing on natural, non-pure methane gas are discussed. The heterotrophic bacteria do not have the genetic capability to produce either the haemolytic enterotoxin complex HBL or non-haemolytic enterotoxin.
authors.affiliation: hbothe@Uni-Hohenheim.de
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bothe
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Møller Jensen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mergel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bothe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D019149:Bioreactors; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D016937:Gram-Positive Endospore-Forming Rods / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D020619:Methylococcus capsulatus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D008697:Methane