Lysinibacillus fusiformis

Lysinibacillus fusiformis was initially isolated from the surface of beta vulgaris by German biologist Dr. O. Gottheil in 1901.[5] Dr. Gottheil used a variety of isolation techniques, which included cultivating the organism on carrot and beet slices.[5] L. fusiformis was originally known as Bacillus fusiformis prior to 2007; at which point it was reclassified to the genus Lysinibacillus, along with its close relative Bacillus sphaericus.[6] The taxonomic classification of the organism was reassigned as a result of L. fusiformis' distinctive characteristics, such as physiology, phylogeny, and peptidoglycan composition.

Lysinibacillus fusiformis is gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium.[7] Active cells have an approximate length of 2.5-3.0 micrometers and an approximate width of 0.5-0.9 micrometers.[8] Under strenuous conditions, this microbe can generate inactive spherical endospores that are resistant to high temperatures, damaging chemicals, and ultraviolet light.[7] The developing endospores localize either centrally or terminally within the enlarged sporangia and can remain functional for long periods of time.[7]

Lysinibacillus fusiformis is a naturally occurring bacterium and various strains have been isolated from multiple environments including farming soil and factory wastewater.[5][8] This organism is considered to be altogether mesophilic; growing best at a temperature range of 17-37 degrees Celsius.[7] L. fusiformis is also considered to be mildly alkaliphilic and moderately halophilic; growing best at a pH range of 6-9.5 and an NaCl concentration of 2-7%.[7]

Lysinibacillus fusiformis tests positive for oxidase and is an obligate aerobe.[7] This means that it can utilize oxygen to metabolize various sugars and other simple carbohydrates.[7] However, it does not metabolize polysaccharides such as starch.[7] This organism does not produce acid or gas from the metabolism of D-glucose or any other carbohydrates and does not reduce nitrate to nitrite.[7] L. fusiformis can hydrolyze casein and gelatin.[7] It can also utilize acetate, citrate, formate, lactate, and succinate as carbon sources.[7] From a metabolic standpoint, L. fusiformis and Lysinibacillus sphaericus are nearly identical.[1] As of now, the only known factor that distinguishes these two species is that L. fusiformis is positive for urease.[1] This means that L. fusiformis can hydrolyze urea to produce ammonia and CO₂.[10] In 2011, the strain L. fusiformis ZC1 was shown to retain the ability to reduce chromate to chromium.[8]

As of 2014, there are a couple partial 16S rRNA gene sequences (GenBank No. AF169537 and EU430993) that have been analyzed for L. fusiformis and several whole genome sequences of various strains.[4][11] There are multiple ongoing genome sequencing projects involving this organism.[4] Currently, these genomic sequences exist as scaffolds and include the following strains: Lysinibacillus fusiformis H1K, Lysinibacillus fusiformis ZB2, and Lysinibacillus fusiformis ZC1.[4] According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, L. fusiformis ZC1 (BioProject: PRJNA226204) is the current genomic representative for L. fusiformis.[4] The L. fusiformis ZC1 genome was sequenced using the whole genome shotgun sequencing method.[8] Genomic analysis of strain ZC1 shows a genome with an approximate length of 4.65 megabases that contains 4,729 protein-coding genes and maintains a relatively moderate GC content (mol%) of 37.3%.[8] The gene chrA was found in L. fusiformis and encodes a chromate Cr(VI) transporter that confirms chromate Cr(VI) resistance.[8]

The mechanism of L. fusiformis’ pathogenicity is not well understood by microbiologists.

Plastic Degradation:

In 2016, a group of researchers lead by Prof. A. B. Ade at the Department of Botany, Savitribai Phule University, Pune, MS, India reported 22% reduction in weight loss of the plastic (polythene) with Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain VASB14/WL after 2 months of regular shaking at room temperature.[12]

• Type strain of Lysinibacillus fusiformis at BacDive - the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase