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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #327656
Title: Acinetobacter lactucae sp. nov., isolated from iceberg lettuce (Asteraceae: Lactuca sativa)

Author
item Rooney, Alejandro - Alex
item Dunlap, Christopher
item Weiler, Lina

Submitted to: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/7/2016
Publication Date: 9/1/2016
Citation: Rooney, A.P., Dunlap, C.A., Weiler, L. 2016. Acinetobacter lactucae sp. nov., isolated from iceberg lettuce (Asteraceae: Lactuca sativa). International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 66:3566-3572. doi:10.1099/ijsem.0.001234.

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript reports on the characterization of a new species of bacteria, Acinetobacter lactucae, which was isolated from lettuce. The species possesses novel and unusual biochemical characteristics, which makes it attractive for various agricultural and biotechnological purposes. As such, this strain was accessioned into the Crop Bioprotection Research Unit’s culture collection where its potential for biological control applications can be assessed in future studies.

Technical Abstract: Strain NRRL B-41902 and three closely related strains were isolated from iceberg lettuce. The strain was found to consist of strictly aerobic, gram-negative rods that formed cocci in late stationary phase. Subsequent to sequencing the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, it was found that strain NRRL B-41902 was most closely related to species within the genera Acinetobacter, and that a grouping of it and three other closely related strains were most closely related to the type strain of A. pittii, which was also confirmed through a phylogenomic analysis. Moreover, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization analysis revealed a substantial amount of genomic divergence (39.1%) between NRRL B-41902 and the type strain of A. pittii, which is expected if the strains are distinct species. Further phenotypic analysis revealed that strain NRRL B-41902 was able to assimilate a combination of L-serine, citraconic acid and citramalic acid, which differentiated it from other, closely related Acinetobacter species. Therefore, we propose to recognize Acinetobacter lactucae sp. nov., with type strain NRRL B-41902**T (= CCUG XXXX**T).