Cytophaga

Cytophaga is a genus of bacteria belonging to the department of Bacteroidetes. The type species is Cytophaga Winogradsky hutchinsonii 1929. Types of Cytopohaga are important for the bacterial degradation of cellulose.

Appearance

The cells are rod-shaped, about 0.3-0.5 microns wide and 2-10 microns long, with slightly pointed ends. The Gram test is negative. They do not form resting stages. Flagella are not present. The movement is sliding. The colonies are yellow to orange pigments are carotenoids and Flexi Rubin at Cytophaga hutchinsonii and Cytophaga xylanolytica.

Growth and metabolism

Metabolism is the respiration with oxygen as the electron acceptor and is chemoorganotroph. The oxidase test is positive, catalase - negative test. The species Cytophaga aurantiaca and Cytophaga hutchinsonii are important for the bacterial decomposition of cellulose in well -oxygenated ( oxic ) locations. In the decomposition of cellulose, the bacteria adhere to the fibers of the cellulose. The enzyme ( cellulase ) remains connected to the cell wall, free, soluble enzymes for the degradation are not formed. The related genus Sporocytophaga can use cellulose. Cellulose is converted only by a few groups of organisms that are important for this purpose in addition to bacteria, especially the mushrooms.

System

The following types are made to Cytophaga:

• Cytophaga aurantiaca (ex Winogradsky 1929) Reichenbach 1989
• Cytophaga fermentans Bachmann 1955
• Cytophaga Winogradsky hutchinsonii 1929
• Cytophaga xylanolytica Haack and Breznak 1993