CLASSIFICATION

The classification is based chemotaxonomic criteria. These are based on DNA-DNA homology studies. The absence of many of the biochemical tests makes the classification still very difficult. A. faecalis has the Q-8 quinone system. It produces the characteristic fatty acids 16:0,Delta17 (used to indicate a cyclopropane acid), 18:1, 19:0 and the characteristic polyamines putescine and 2-hydroxyputrescine.

BIOCHEMISTRY

Alcaligenes faecalis is not pigmented. Acid is not produced from glucose or any carbohydrate. Most carbohydrates can also not be assimilated as carbon source. They produce unusual amino acids, including D-pipecolic acid. D-Aminoacylase activity, which has been demonstrated in strains of Alcaligenes may have important potential industrial uses.

These organisms have been shown to carry a variety of plasmids. On these plasmids there are often located genes, coding for enzymes, some of which have been used industrially.

Gene duplication and gene clustering has been noted for many biodegradation and other systems for the same metabolic processes. This would give these organisms a great potential for developing new systems.

No studies have been reported.

None.

Found in soil.

Not pathogenic.

No specific isolation techniques have been reported. They can be grown on both complex or minimal conventional media.

Normally found widespread in soil, water as well as environments in association with humans.

A number of strains related to A. faecalis have been used for the production of unnatural amino acids. These include D-amino acids and amino acids not normally found as part of proteins. Some of these have found application in the pharmaceutical industry. They include pipecolic acid, possible side chain modifications of Beta-lactam antibiotics. Curdlan is a biopolymer produced by A. faecalis . A strain of "A." eutrophus is used to degrade the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)

None developed.

Alcaligenaceae

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