Abstract
Eleven bacteria, which were newly isolated from soils and sewage and are capable of producing α-ketoglutaric acid with higher yields such as 40-60% to glucose supplied in aerobic fermentation, were studied from the taxonomic point of view. Precise descriptions of morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics were performed. As a result of these descriptions two bacteria were identified as Escherichia coli, three as Escherichia freundii, one as Aerobacter cloacae. However the remaining five bacteria possessed polar flagella and fermented glucose, lactose and other sugars vigorously with the production of acid and gas. After exhaustive discussion we reached the conclusion that they should be assigned to a new genus in the tribe Pseudomonadeae. Consequently we proposed a new genus Kluyvera to which they should be assigned. A description of the new genus and descriptions of two new species of the genus Kluyvera are presented.
