PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF A BACTERIAL AEROBIC DEGRADER OF AZO DYES

Eubacterial consensus oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify by polymerase chain reaction the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene of isol ate C7, a gram-negative rod capable of aerobic degradation of azo dyes . The DNA product was cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis base d upon this DNA sequence places C7 within the alpha subdivision of pro teobacteria, most closely related to Caulobacter subvibrioides. The ph ospholipid fatty acid pattern resembles that of caulobacters, with mon ounsaturated 16- and 18-carbon fatty acids predominating. C7 is unusua l in having a monounsaturated branched fatty acid in the phospholipids and exclusively 2-hydroxy fatty acids in the lipid-extracted residue. This organism is of potential use in bioreactors operated for azo dye degradation.