Clostridium clariflavum sp. nov. and Clostridium caenicola sp. nov., moderately thermophilic, cellulose-/cellobiose-digesting bacteria isolated from methanogenic sludge.

Two novel anaerobic, moderately thermophilic and cellulose-/cellobiose-digesting bacteria, EBR45(T) and EBR596(T), were isolated from anaerobic sludge of a cellulose-degrading methanogenic bioreactor. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these strains belonged to cluster III within the low-G+C-content Gram-positive bacteria. The close relatives of EBR45(T) were Clostridium straminisolvens DSM 16021(T) (sequence identity, 94.

A novel mediator-polymer-modified anode for microbial fuel cells.

A high-performance anode system based on a combination of mediator-polymer-modified graphite felt and bacteria capable of reducing extracellular materials shows significant potential for practical use in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).

Lutispora thermophila gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic, spore-forming bacterium isolated from a thermophilic methanogenic bioreactor digesting municipal solid wastes.

A novel anaerobic, moderately thermophilic, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium (strain EBR46T) was isolated from an enrichment culture derived from an anaerobic thermophilic (55 degrees C) methanogenic bioreactor treating artificial solid wastes. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed strain EBR46T within a distinct lineage between Clostridium clusters II and III. The closest recognized relative of strain EBR46T was Gracilibacter thermotolerans DSM 17427T (85.

Biological treatment of estrogenic substances.

The fate and behavior of estrogenic substances in various biological wastewater treatment processes and several advanced sewage treatment processes were examined. The removal of 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and estriol (E3) was investigated by using a pilot-scale activated sludge plant supplied with domestic sewage. Several sewage treatment plants adopting the activated sludge process were evaluated for the removal of estrogenic substances using an in vitro recombinant yeast assay and chemical analysis.

Isolation and characterization of a new Clostridium sp. that performs effective cellulosic waste digestion in a thermophilic methanogenic bioreactor.

A methanogenic bioreactor that utilized wastepaper was developed and operated at 55 degrees C. Microbial community structure analysis showed the presence of a group of clostridia that specifically occurred during the period of high fermentation efficiency. To isolate the effective cellulose digester, the sludge that exhibited high fermentation efficiency was inoculated into a synthetic medium that contained cellulose powder as the sole carbon source and was successively cultivated.