Abstract
Fifty strains of acetic acid bacteria including closely related strains were taxonomically studied.
Except for five brown pigment-producing strains, they were appropriately divided into two separate genera Gluconobacter and Acetobacter mainly in accordance with the flagellation and the oxidative behavior towards acetate and lactate. Thus the differentiation of acetic acid bacteria into two separate genera Gluconobacter and Acetobacter which was firstly proposed by ASAI was again verified. Species characterization within each genus of acetic acid bacteria was discussed and considered to be unreliable.
An amendment was added to the previous publication concerning the flagellation of brown pigment-producing three strains, i, e., G. liquefaeiens G-1 (IAM 1834), G. melanogenus AC-8 (IAM 1835) and G. melanogenus U-4 (IAM 1836). They were confirmed to be peritrichous, not polar, and therefore were excluded from genus Gluconobacter.
A remarkable mutation transforming from non-acetate oxidizing strain into acetate oxidizing one during the long periods of preservation in the laboratory was presented in the case with G. liquefaciens G-1 (IAM 1834).
A new finding concerning the existence of polarly flagellated, . acetate-and lactate-oxidizing brown pigment-producing strains was also presented. Accordingly we have at present two different types of brown pigment-producing and acetate- and lactate-oxidizing strains besides G. melanogenus (Beijerinck) Asai (Syn. A, melanogenus Beijerinck); one is characterized by peritrichous flagellation and the other is characterized by polar flagellation.
The generic situation of those organisms was discussed and was decided temporarily as "intermediate" strains neither assignable to genus Gluconobacter nor to genus Acetobacter.
Phylogenetic relationship of genera Gluconobacter and Acetobacter with reference to the "intermediate" strains was also discussed.
