Anaerovorax odorimutans gen. nov., sp nov., a putrescine-fermenting, strictly anaerobic bacterium

strictly anaerobic, Cram-positive, non-spore-forming bacterium strain NorPu t1(T) ferments putrescine to acetate, butyrate, molecular hydrogen and ammo nia. It also utilizes 4-aminobutyrate and 4-hydroxyhutyrate as growth subst rates. Comparative 165 rDNA sequence analysis confirmed a phylogenetic affi liation of this strain to the phylum of Cram-positive bacteria with low DNA G+C content. Together with its closest relative, 'Clostridium aminobutyric um' (DSM 2634), and several Eubacterium species, strain NorPut1(T) represen ts a well-defined monophyletic group. Moderate overall 165 rRNA sequence si milarities (< 91%) were found for the NorPut1(T)/' Clostridium aminokutyric um'pair and several Eubacterium species. The type species, Eubacterium limo sum, is not a member of the group and, together with Eubacterium barkeri an d Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, represents a distant phylogentic cluster. Therefore, a new genus, Anaerovorax, is proposed as harbouring strain NorP ut1(T) (= DSM 5692(T)), which is described as a new species, i.e. Anaerovor ax odorimutans.