title: Oxalotrophic bacteria.
abstract: Oxalic acid and its salts are widespread in nature, as they are produced by many species of plants, algae and fungi. The bacteria, which are capable of using oxalate as a sole carbon and energy source, are described as being "oxalotrophic". Oxalotrophic bacteria do not constitute a homogeneous taxonomic group, but they do constitute a well-defined physiological group. A limited number of aerobic bacteria which are able to utilize oxalate as sole carbon and energy source have been completely described. Most of them are facultative methylotrophs and/or facultative hydrogen-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophs. In this review, the current status of the taxonomy and biodiversity of oxalotrophic bacteria in various environments, and aspects of their biotechnological potential, are briefly summarized.
authors.affiliation: Mugla Universitesi, Egitim Fakultesi, Biyoloji Egitimi Anabilim Dali, TR-48170 Kötekli, Mugla, Turkey. nsahin@mu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Nurettin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sahin
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D017753:Ecosystem; D010070:Oxalates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D010070:Oxalates