Bacteria Genomes - GLUCONOBACTER OXYDANS

Gluconobacter oxydans is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the family Acetobacteraceae. G. oxydans is an obligate aerobe, having a respiratory type of metabolism using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Gluconobacter strains flourish in sugary niches e.g. ripe grapes, apples, dates, garden soil, baker's soil, honeybees, fruit, cider, beer, wine are non-pathogenic towards man and other animals but are capable of causing bacterial rot of apples and pears.

Gluconobacter oxydans is an acetic acid bacteria and is characterised by the incomplete oxidation of a wide range of carbohydrates and alcohols. This incomplete oxidation leads to nearly quantitative yields of the oxidation products making G. oxydans important for industrial use. Gluconobacter strains can be used industrially to produce L-sorbose (vitamin C synthesis) from D-sorbitol; D-gluconic acid, 5-keto- and 2-ketogluconic acids from D-glucose; and dihydroxyacetone from glycerol.

G. Oxydans is also important for biotechnological processes such as the production of the antidiabetic drug Miglitol.

References:

http://www.g2l.bio.uni-goettingen.de/projects/c_proj_go.html