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Two Gram-stain-negative, facultative aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, and non-motile rod bacteria, strains BLT and W38T, that were isolated from soil and freshwater, respectively, were taxonomically characterized. Both strains optimally grew at 30 °C and pH 7.0 in Reasoner's 2A medium and contained ubiquinone-8 as the sole respiratory quinone. As major fatty acids (>10 %), strain BLT contained iso-C15 : 0 and summed features 3 and 9 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c/ω6c and iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl, respectively), whereas strain W38T contained iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and summed feature 9. Diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine as major polar lipids and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as minor polar lipids were detected in both strains. The DNA G+C contents of strains BLT and W38T were 68.3 and 65.3 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences revealed that strains BLT and W38T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with Tahibacter species, and they shared 98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 75.5 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 16.6 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values, indicating that they are different species. Strains BLT and W38T were most closely related to Tahibacter caeni BUT-6T and Tahibacter aquaticus PYM5-11T with 97.7 and 98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. ANI and dDDH values between strain BLT and T. caeni BUT-6T and between strain W38T and T. aquaticus DSM 21667T were 78.5 and 21.6% and 75.3 and 21.0 %, respectively. Based on their phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic properties, strains BLT and W38T represent two different novel species of the genus Tahibacter , for which the names Tahibacter soli sp. nov. and Tahibacter amnicola sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of T. soli and T. amnicola are BLT (=KACC 22831T=JCM 35402T) and W38T (=KACC 22832T=JCM 35749T), respectively.

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented and facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain U1T, was isolated from plastic dumped soil sampled in the Republic of Korea. Cell of strain U1T were non-motile rods showing catalase-negative and oxidase-positive activities. Strain U1T was shown to grow at 10–37 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C) and pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0), and in the presence of 0–0.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Strain U1T contained iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω5c and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c) as the major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) and menaquinone-7 as the sole respiratory quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids were identified as the major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain U1T calculated from the whole-genome sequence was 45.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain U1T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the genus Dyadobacter . Strain U1T has the highest 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Dyadobacter bucti QTA69T (97.9 %). Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain U1T and D. bucti QTA69T were 74.6 % and 18.9 %, respectively. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain U1T represents a novel species of the genus Dyadobacter , for which the name Dyadobacter pollutisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is U1T (= KACC 22210T=JCM 34491T).

A Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming and facultative aerobic bacterium, designated C11T, was isolated from mountain soil collected in the Republic of Korea. The cells were motile rods with peritrichous flagella, and positive for catalase and oxidase activities. Strain C11T grew at 15–45 °C (optimum, 30–37 °C) and pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0) and in the presence of 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Strain C11T contained menaquinone-7 as the sole isoprenoid quinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 38.8 mol%. Strain C11T was most closely related to Neobacillus drentensis IDA1967T and Mesobacillus foraminis CV53T, with 98.0 and 97.7 %, 71.7 and 69.9 %, and 20.1 and 20.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences showed that strain C11T was included in a phyletic lineage with members of the genus Neobacillus but was distinct from members of the genus Mesobacillus . Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties suggested that strain C11T represents a novel species of the genus Neobacillus , for which the name Neobacillus terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C11T (=KACC 21661T=JCM 33943T).

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive and non-motile rod-shaped bacteria, strains D2-3T and G9-8T, were isolated from a marine red alga. Both strains contained ubiquinone-10 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. As the major cellular fatty acids (>5.0 %), D2-3T contained C16 : 0, 11-methyl-C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), whereas G9-8T contained C16 : 0, 11-methyl-C18 : 1ω7c, C12 : 1 3-OH, and summed feature 8. The DNA G+C contents of D2-3T and G9-8T were 54.4 % and 56.0 %, respectively. As the major polar lipids, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified phospholipid, aminolipid and lipid were identified from both strains, and phosphatidylcholine was additionally detected from G9-8T only. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of D2-3T and G9-8T was 98.5 % and their digital DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) value was 19.1 %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences revealed that D2-3T and G9-8T formed respectively distinct phylogenetic lineages within the genus Octadecabacter . D2-3T and G9-8T were most closely related to Octadecabacter ascidiaceicola RA1-3T and Octadecabacter antarcticus 307T, with 98.9 % and 98.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively, and digital DDH values between D2-3T and O. ascidiaceicola and between G9-8T and O. antarcticus were 18.3 % and 19.5 %, respectively. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features support the hypothesis that D2-3T and G9-8T represent two novel species of the genus Octadecabacter , for which the names Octadecabacter algicola sp. nov. and Octadecabacter dasysiphoniae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of O. algicola and O. dasysiphoniae are D2-3T (=KACC 22493T =JCM 34969T) and G9-8T (=KACC 22488T =JCM 34973T), respectively.

In this review, we describe the genomic and physiological features of the yeast species predominantly isolated from Nuruk, a starter for traditional Korean rice wines, and Jang, a traditional Korean fermented soy product. Nuruk and Jang have several prevalent yeast species, including Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Hyphopichia burtonii, and Debaryomyces hansenii complex, which belong to the CUG clade showing high osmotic tolerance. Comparative genomics revealed that the interspecies hybridization within yeast species for generating heterozygous diploid genomes occurs frequently as an evolutional strategy in the fermentation environment of Nuruk and Jang. Through gene inventory analysis based on the high-quality reference genome of S. fibuligera, new genes involved in cellulose degradation and volatile aroma biosynthesis and applicable to the production of novel valuable enzymes and chemicals can be discovered. The integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Hyphopichia yeasts, which exhibit strong halotolerance, provides insights into the novel mechanisms of salt and osmo-stress tolerance for survival in fermentation environments with a low-water activity and high-concentration salts. In addition, Jang yeast isolates, such as D. hansenii, show probiotic potential for the industrial application of yeast species beyond fermentation starters to diverse human health sectors.

Two Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, and aerobic bacteria, strains MSW7T and MSW13T, were isolated from seawater. Cells of strains MSW7T and MSW13T are motile and non-motile rods, respectively. Strain MSW7T optimally grew at 25 °C and pH 7.0 and in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl, whereas strain MSW13T optimally grew at 25 °C and pH 6.0–7.0 and in the presence of 2 % NaCl. As the sole respiratory quinone and the major fatty acids and polar lipids, strain MSW7T contained ubiquinone-8, C16 : 0, C15 : 1 ω8c, C17 : 1 ω8c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, respectively, whereas strain MSW13T contained menaquinone-6, C15 : 1 ω6c, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strains MSW7T and MSW13T were 37.3 and 29.9 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains MSW7T and MSW13T were most closely related to Colwellia echini A3T and Polaribacter atrinae WP25T with 98.8 and 98.1 % sequence similarities, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MSW7T and C. echini A3T and between strain MSW13T and P. atrinae KACC 17473T were 73.6 and 22.6 % and 80.4 and 23.8 %, respectively. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strains MSW7T and MSW13T represent novel species of the genera Colwellia and Polaribacter , respectively, for which the names Colwellia maritima sp. nov. and Polaribacter marinus sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strains of C. maritima sp. nov. and P. marinus sp. nov. are MSW7T (=KACC 22339T=JCM 35001T) and MSW13T (=KACC 22341T=JCM 35021T), respectively.

Two gram-negative, catalase-positive, strictly aerobic, and white colony-forming bacteria, strains H242T and B156T, were isolated from soil in South Korea. Cells of strain H242T were oxidase-positive and non-motile short rods, while those of strain B156T were oxidase-negative and long non-motile rods. Ubiquinone-8 was identified as the sole isoprenoid quinone in both strains. C16:0, cyclo-C17:0, and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol were identified in both strains as the major cellular fatty acids and polar lipids, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strains H242T and B156T were 69.4 mol% and 69.3 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and 92 concatenated core gene sequences revealed that strains H242T and B156T formed distinct phylogenic lineages from other Ramlibacter type strains. The DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) value between strains H242T and B156T was 24.6%. Strains H242T and B156T were most closely related to Ramlibacter ginsenosidimutans BXN5-27T and Ramlibacter monticola G-3-2T with 98.4% and 98.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. Digital DDH values between strain H242T and R. ginsenosidimutans and between strain B156T and R. monticola were 23.5% and 26.1%, respectively. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and molecular analyses indicated that strains H242T and B156T represent two novel species of the genus Ramlibacter, for which the names Ramlibacter terrae sp. nov. and Ramlibacter montanisoli sp. nov., respectively, are proposed. The type strains of R. terrae and R. montanisoli are H242T (=KACC 21667 T =JCM 33922T) and B156T (=KACC 21665 T =JCM 33920T), respectively.

Viridans group streptococci are a serious health concern because most of these bacteria cause life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised and hospitalized individuals. We focused on two alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus strains (I-G2 and I-P16) newly isolated from an ileostomy effluent of a colorectal cancer patient. We examined their pathogenic potential by investigating their prevalence in human and assessing their pathogenicity in a mouse model. We also predicted their virulence factors and pathogenic features by using comparative genomic analysis and in vitro tests. Using polyphasic and systematic approaches, we identified the isolates as belonging to a novel Streptococcus species and designated it as Streptococcus ilei. Metagenomic survey based on taxonomic assignment of datasets from the Human Microbiome Project revealed that S. ilei is present in most human population and at various body sites but is especially abundant in the oral cavity. Intraperitoneal injection of S. ilei was lethal to otherwise healthy C57BL/6J mice. Pathogenomics and in vitro assays revealed that S. ilei possesses a unique set of virulence factors. In agreement with the in vivo and in vitro data, which indicated that S. ilei strain I-G2 is more pathogenic than strain I-P16, only the former displayed the streptococcal group A antigen. We here newly identified S. ilei sp. nov., and described its prevalence in human, virulence factors, and pathogenicity. This will help to prevent S. ilei strain misidentification in the future, and improve the understanding and management of streptococcal infections.

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and yellow-pigmented bacterial strains, designated K20-16T and MSW2, were isolated from a marine red alga (Chondrus species) and seawater, respectively. Both strains were oxidase-positive, weakly catalase-positive and non-flagellated rods with gliding motility. Menaquinone-6 was detected as the sole isoprenoid quinone in both strains. Iso-C15:0, iso-C15:0 3-OH, iso-C15:1 G, C15:1 ω6c and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) were identified in both strains as major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was not identified in strain K20-16T, but it was identified in strain MSW2. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains K20-16T and MSW2 were 30.5 and 30.7 %, respectively. Strains K20-16T and MSW2 shared 99.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 97.7% average nucleotide identity (ANI), and 80.5% digital DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) value, indicating that they are the same species. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and 92 concatenated core protein sequences revealed that strains K20-16T and MSW2 formed a phylogenic lineage within the genus Tenacibaculum and were most closely related to Tenacibaculum todarodis LPB0136T with 98.3 and 98.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. ANI and digital DDH values between strains K20-16T and MSW2 and other type strains were less than 91.4 and 43.1 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strains K20-16T and MSW2 represent a novel species of the genus Tenacibaculum , for which the name Tenacibaculum aquimarinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K20-16T (=KACC 22 342T=JCM 35 023T).

A novel Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, and non-motile bacterium with bio-degradation potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and uranium bio-reduction, designated as RCRI7

Strain H239T, a gram-negative, strictly aerobic, and oxidase-positive, and catalase-negative bacterium, was isolated from mountain soil in Gangwon-do of South Korea. Colonies were orange colored, and cells were motile rods with a single polar flagellum. Growth was observed between 25 and 30 °C (optimum, 30 °C), between pH 7.0 and pH 9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5), and in the presence of 0–1.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5–1%). Ubiquinone-10 was detected as the sole respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10%) of strain H239T were C18:1 ω7c, C18:0, and C16:0. The polar lipids detected from strain H239T consisted of two unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids, and three unidentified polar lipids. The G+C content of strain H239T based on its genome sequence was 62.0 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain H239T was most closely related to Devosia chinhatensis IPL18T (97.7%), Devosia submarina KMM 9415T (97.7%), and Devosia yakushimensis Yak96BT (97.3%). Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that strain H239T formed a distinct phyletic lineage as a new species within the genus Devosia. Based on its physiological, chemotaxonomic, and molecular properties, strain H239T represents a novel species of the genus Devosia, for which the name Devosia aurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H239T (=KACC 21662T=JCM 33930T). In addition, because the prokaryotic genus name Geomonas Khan et al. 2020 is a later homonym of Geomonas Xu et al. 2020, the name is illegitimate (Principle 6 in the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes). Therefore, we propose to replace the problematic prokaryotic names Geomonas and Geomonas soli with Albitalea with Albitalea terrae, respectively.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultative aerobic, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, non-sporulating, and non-motile bacterium, which degraded benzophenone-3, was isolated from stream sediment collected in the Republic of Korea and designated as strain S2-17T. Cells of this strain were rod-shaped during the early growth phase but became coccoid after the late exponential growth phase. Bacterial growth was observed at 15–37 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C) and pH 6.0–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5–8.5) and in the presence of 0–9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0–1.0 %). Menaquinone-8 (H2) was the sole isoprenoid quinone, and C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω8c, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c) and C18 : 1 ω9c were the major fatty acids. The cell wall of strain S2-17T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and arabinose, galactose and mycolic acid were found in whole-cell hydrolysates, suggesting a chemotype IV cell wall. The G+C content of the genome was 65.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain S2-17T formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Rhodococcus and was most closely related to Rhodococcus jostii DSM 44719T (99.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain S2-17T and R. jostii DSM 44719T were 82.6 and 26.5 %, respectively, indicating differences between the species. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain S2-17T represents a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus , for which the name Rhodococcus oxybenzonivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2-17T (=KACC 19281T=JCM 32046T).

A Gram-negative and facultative aerobic strain, designated as strain MA-13T, was isolated from seawater in the Yellow Sea Republic of Korea. Cells were oxidase- and catalase-positive and non-motile short rods. Growth of strain MA-13T was observed over a range of 10–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0–11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0–5.5 % (w/v) sodium chloride (optimum, 1.0–2.0 %). Strain MA-13T contained ubiquinone-8 as the respiratory quinone, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and four unidentified lipids as major polar lipids and C16 : 0, C12 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) as major cellular fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 48.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that strain MA-13T formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Rheinheimera . Strain MA-13T was most closely related to Rheinheimera lutimaris YQF-2T, Rheinheimera aquimaris SW-353T, Rheinheimera pacifica KMM 1406T and Rheinheimera baltica DSM 14885T with 98.10, 98.08, 98.07 and 97.94 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MA-13T and R. aquimaris KCTC 12840T, R. pacifica DSM 17616T and R. baltica DSM 14885T were 76.3, 78.6 and 76.9 % and 19.5, 21.3 and 20.5 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain MA-13T represents a novel species of the genus Rheinheimera , for which the name Rheinheimera maricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MA-13T (=KACC 22113T=JCM 34600T).

To investigate the fermentative characteristics of Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria, the key microbes known to be involved in doenjang-meju (a Korean traditional fermented soybean brick) fermentation, we prepared and analyzed two sets of doenjang-meju inoculated with either Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus velezensis (BDM) or A. oryzae and Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LDM). A large decrease in pH was observed during the early fermentation period in LDM, whereas the pH remained relatively constant in BDM. Although observed in higher levels in BDM during the early fermentation period, free sugar and amino acid contents and Aspergillus abundance were higher in LDM thereafter, which aligned with α-amylase and protease activity profiles in LDM and BDM, suggesting their association with Aspergillus. Higher levels of isoflavone aglycones and glycerol along with greater β-glucosidase and lipase activities in LDM and BDM, respectively, were suggestive of the characteristics of Leuconostoc and Bacillus, respectively. More diverse and higher amounts of volatile compounds were observed in BDM than in LDM. The α-amylase, lipase, protease, β-glucosidase, and antimicrobial activities of A. oryzae, B. velezensis, and L. mesenteroides were examined through genomic analyses and in vitro assays, which well supported the results of their fermentative characteristics in LDM and BDM.

A Gram-stain-positive coccus was isolated from the blood of a paediatric patient suffering from gastroenteritis. The taxonomic position of this catalase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming facultative anaerobe designated as strain MKL-02T was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Colonies grown on tryptic soy agar with 10 % sheep blood were circular, creamy yellow, and convex. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that this strain was most closely related to Arsenicicoccus bolidensis CCUG 47306T within the cluster of the genus Arsenicicoccus . Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MKL-02T and A. bolidensis DSM 15745T, A. dermatophillus DSM 25571T and A. piscis DSM 22760T were 89.5 and 37.0 %, 79.6 and 22.4 %, and 75.9 and 21.0 %, respectively. The genomic size of strain MKL-02T was 3 423 857 bp with a 72.7 mol% G+C content. Growth was observed at 10–45 °C (optimum, 37–40 °C) and pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Cells of strain MKL-02T were non-motile cocci and 0.50–0.60 µm long, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acid type (>10 % of total) was C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The strain contained MK-8 (H4) as the predominant menaquinone. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic considerations, it is proposed that strain MKL-02T be classified as a new species, named Arsenicicoccus cauae sp. nov. The type strain is MKL-02T (=NCCP 16967T=JCM 34624T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain PeD5T, was isolated from a green alga Pediastrum duplex from the Nakdong river of the Republic of Korea. Cells were non-motile cocci, catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Growth of PeD5T was observed at 25–40 °C (optimum, 35 °C) and pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7–8), and in the presence of 0–0.25% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%). PeD5T contained C16:0, C18:1ω7c 11-methyl, summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (comprising C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c) as major cellular fatty acids (>5%) and ubiquinone-10 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified aminolipid were detected as major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of PeD5T was 71.0 mol%. PeD5T was most closely related to Roseomonas stagni HS-69T with a 97.6% 16S rRNA sequence similarity and shared less than 96.3% 16S rRNA sequence similarities with type strains of other species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that PeD5T formed a phyletic lineage with Roseomonas stagni HS-69T within the genus Roseomonas . On the basis of results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analysis, strain PeD5T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas , for which the name Roseomonas algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PeD5T (=KACC 19925T=JCM 33309T).

Two Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic and non-motile bacteria, strains R11T and S1162T, were isolated from soil in the Republic of Korea. Both strains were catalase- and oxidase-positive and contained menaquinone-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone. Strain R11T contained summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c), iso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH as major fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified aminolipid as major polar lipids; while strain S1162T contained summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c), iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, C16:0 and summed feature 9 (10-methyl C16:0 and/or iso-C17:1 ω9c) as major fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as major polar lipids. The DNA G+C contents of strains R11T and S1162T calculated from their whole genomes were 42.7 and 42.9 mol%, respectively. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain R11T formed a phylogenetic lineage with Mucilaginibacter jinjuensis YC7004T and strain S1162T formed a distinct phyletic lineage from closely related type strains within the genus Mucilaginibacter . Strains R11T and S1162T were most closely related to M. jinjuensis YC7004T and Mucilaginibacter panaciglaebae BXN5-31T with 97.78 and 97.23% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analysis, strains R11T and S1162T represent two novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter , for which the names Mucilaginibacter agri sp. nov. and Mucilaginibacter humi sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strains of M. agri and M. humi are R11T (=KACC 21228T=JCM 33472T) and S1162T (=KACC 21669T=JCM 33916T), respectively.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain R14T was isolated from steep grove soil and taxonomically characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells showed oxidase-negative and catalase-positive activities and grew at 25–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5), and in the presence of 0–0.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%). Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain R14T formed a phylogenetic lineage with Flavihumibacter genus members within the family Chitinophagaceae. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain R14T shared highest similarities with Flavihumibacter solisilvae 3-3T (97.5%), Flavihumibacter petaseus NBRC 106054T (96.7%), and Flavihumibacter stibioxidans YS-17T (96.1%). The G+C content of strain R14T calculated from its whole genome sequence was 44.6 mol%. Strain R14T contained menaquinone-7 and iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, C16:0, C15:1 ω6c, and iso-C15:0-G as the sole respiratory isoprenoid quinone and major cellular fatty acids, respectively. Major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, and four unidentified lipids. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain R14T, it could be concluded that strain R14T represents a novel species of the genus Flavihumibacter, for which the name Flavihumibacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R14T (=KACC 21229T = JCM 33473T).

In the course of screening halophilic bacteria in Urmia Lake in Iran, which is being threatened by dryness, a novel Gram-negative, moderately halophilic, heterotrophic and short rod-shaped bacteria was isolated and characterized. The bacterium was isolated from a water specimen and designated as TBZ3T. Colonies were found to be creamy yellow, with catalase- and oxidase-positive activities. The growth of strain TBZ3T was observed to be at 10–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0.5–20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 7.5 %). Strain TBZ3T contained C16 : 0, cyclo-C19 : 0 ω8c, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) as major fatty acids and ubiquinone-9 as the only respiratory isoprenoid quinone. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid, unidentified phospholipid and unidentified polar lipids were detected as the major polar lipids. Strain TBZ3T was found to be most closely related to Halomonas saccharevitans AJ275T , Halomonas denitrificans M29T and Halomonas sediminicola CPS11T with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.93, 98.15 and 97.60 % respectively and in phylogenetic analysis strain TBZ3T grouped with Halomonas saccharevitans AJ275T contained within a large cluster within the genus Halomonas . Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain TBZ3T represents a novel species of the Halomonas genus, for which the name Halomonas urmiana sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TBZ3T (=DSM 22871T=LMG 25416T).

A Gram-negative, moderately halophilic and facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain GTF13T, was isolated from a sea tidal flat. Cells were curved rods and motile by a single polar flagellum showing catalase and oxidase activities. Growth was observed at 20–37 °C, pH 5.0–8.5 and 1.0–6.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain GTF13T contained C16:0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω6c/C16 : 1 ω7c), summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω6c/C18 : 1 ω7c) and C12 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids and ubiquinone-9 and ubiquinone-8 as major quinones. Phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified phospholipids were detected as major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 59.8 mol%. Strain GTF13T was most closely related to Simiduia agarivorans SA1T, Endozoicomonas montiporae CL-33T and Pseudomonas segetis FR1439T, belonging to different families or orders of the class Gammaproteobacteria , with less than 92.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GTF13T formed a phylogenetic lineage with the family Litoricolaceae , but the genome-based phylogenomic tree showed that strain GTF13T formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the order Oceanospirillales . The very low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and distinct phylogenetic relationships, together with distinct phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, served to differentiate strain GTF13T from phylogenetically closely related families. Here, strain GTF13T is proposed as a novel genus and species, for which the name Aestuariirhabdus litorea gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, within a new family Aestuariirhabdaceae fam. nov. of the order Oceanospirillales . The type strain is GTF13T (=KACC 19788T=JCM 32043T).

A Gram-stain-negative, obligately aerobic bacterium, designated strain B6T, was isolated from rice wine vinegar in the Republic of Korea. Cells were non-motile and oval short rods showing catalase-positive and oxidase-negative activities. Growth was observed at 15–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 3.5–8.0 (optimum, pH 5.5–6.5). Strain B6T contained summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), and C16 : 0 as major fatty acids and ubiquinone-9 was identified as the sole isoprenoid quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA calculated from the whole genome was 53.1 mol%. Strain B6T was most closely related to Acetobacter pasteurianus LMG 1262T with very high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (100 %) and the strains formed a very close phylogenetic lineage together in phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. However, relatedness analyses based on concatenated amino acid sequences of 354 core genes and whole-cell MALDI-TOF profiles showed that strain B6T may form a distinct phyletic lineage from Acetobacter species. In addition, average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain B6T and the type strains of Acetobacter species were less than 93.3 and 51.4 %, respectively. The genomic features of strain B6T were also differentiated from those of closely related Acetobacter type strains. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic features, strain B6T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Acetobacter , for which the name Acetobacter oryzoeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B6T (=KACC 21201T=JCM 33371T).

Growing evidence shows that nutrient metabolism affects inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) development. Previously, we showed that deficiency of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (Ido1), a tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme, reduced the severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. However, the roles played by intestinal microbiota in generating the differences in disease progression between Ido1+/+ and Ido1−/− mice are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the interactions between the intestinal microbiome and host IDO1 in governing intestinal inflammatory responses. Microbial 16s rRNA sequencing was conducted in Ido1+/+ and Ido1−/− mice after DSS treatment. Bacteria-derived tryptophan metabolites were measured in urine. Transcriptome analysis revealed the effects of the metabolite and IDO1 expression in HCT116 cells. Colitis severity of Ido1+/+ was compared to Ido1−/− mice following fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Microbiome analysis through 16S-rRNA gene sequencing showed that IDO1 deficiency increased intestinal bacteria that use tryptophan preferentially to produce indolic compounds. Urinary excretion of 3-indoxyl sulfate, a metabolized form of gut bacteria-derived indole, was significantly higher in Ido1−/− than in Ido1+/+ mice. Transcriptome analysis showed that tight junction transcripts were significantly increased by indole treatment in HCT116 cells; however, the effects were diminished by IDO1 overexpression. Using FMT experiments, we demonstrated that bacteria from Ido1−/− mice could directly attenuate the severity of DSS-induced colitis. Our results provide evidence that a genetic defect in utilizing tryptophan affects intestinal microbiota profiles, altering microbial metabolites, and colitis development. This suggests that the host and intestinal microbiota communicate through shared nutrient metabolic networks.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, motile and straight rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain C1-9T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze collected from a tea garden in Huize, south-western PR China. Cells were oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Growth occurred at 20–40 °C and pH 6.0–10.0, with an optimal growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0. The respiratory quinone was detected as ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major fatty acids were identified as summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c or C18 : 1ω6c). The cellular polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified lipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The polyamine types were detected as 1,8-diaminooctane and 2-hydroxyputrescine. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.6 mol%. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain C1-9T (MF687442) showed highest sequence similarity to Rivibacter subsaxonicus DSM 19570T (97.1 %). The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain C1-9T clustered close to R. subsaxonicus DSM 19570T, Methylibium petroleiphilum CCTCC AB 2014193T and species belonging to the genera Rhizobacter and Piscinibacter . The phylogenomic tree indicated that strain C1-9T formed a clade with R. subsaxonicus . The average nucleotide identity value was 76.0 % between strain C1-9T and R. subsaxonicus DSM 19570T, which is lower than the prokaryotic species delineation threshold of 95.0–96.0 %. The polyphasic taxonomic characteristics indicated that strain C1-9T represents a novel species of a new genus within the order Burkholderiales , for which the name Pseudorivibacter rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain C1-9T = KCTC 62325T=CGMCC 1.13864T) is proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterial strain, designated strain PoM-212T, was isolated from a marine alga, Porphyridium marinum, in the Republic of Korea. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive rods with gliding motility without flagellum. Growth was observed at 20–40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 5.0–8.5 (pH 5.0–5.5) and in the presence of 0.5–5 % (w/v) NaCl (2–3 %). Strain PoM-212T contained iso-C15 : 1, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) as major fatty acids and menaquinone-6 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified polar lipids were detected as major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.0 mol%. Strain PoM-212T was most closely related to Maribacter lutimaris KJ4T, Maripseudobacter aurantiacus CDA4T and Maribacter flavus C3T with 97.2, 97.2 and 97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively, and it formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage from them within the genus Maribacter . Maripseudobacter aurantiacus formed a close phylogenetic lineage with Maribacter flavus with 99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, but their digital DNA–DNA hybridization value was 67.4 %. On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain PoM-212T represents a novel species of the genus Maribacter , for which the name Maribacter algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PoM-212T (=KACC 19789T=JCM 32941T). The transfer of Maripseudobacter aurantiacus to the genus Maribacter as Maribacter aurantiacus comb. nov. is also proposed (type strain CDA4T=KCTC 52409T=MCCC 1K03210T).

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain MaA-Y11T, was isolated from a culture of Microcystis aeruginosa in the Republic of Korea. Cells were non-motile rods showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain MaA-Y11T was observed at 25–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, 7.0) and in the presence of 0–1.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Strain MaA-Y11T did not produce flexirubin-type pigments. Strain MaA-Y11T contained iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) as major cellular fatty acids and menaquinone-6 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids were detected as the major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, showed that strain MaA-Y11T formed a phyletic lineage with Flavobacterium lindanitolerans IP-10T within the genus Flavobacterium . Strain MaA-Y11T was most closely related to Flavobacterium lindanitolerans IP-10T, with a 98.85 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, and shared less than 93.87 % sequence similarities with other type strains. Average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MaA-Y11T and the type strain of F. lindanitolerans were 87.0 and 32.3 %, respectively. Here, we conclude that strain MaA-Y11T represents a new species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium microcysteis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MaA-Y11T (=KACC 21225T=JCM 33501T).

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a health problem worldwide, and elevated cholesterol levels are a key risk factor for the disease. Dysbiotic gut microbiota has been shown to be associated with CVD development. However, the beneficial effects of healthy microbiota in decreasing cholesterol levels have not been summarized. Herein, we begin by discussing the potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiota reduces cholesterol levels. We further sketch the application of probiotics from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in reducing cholesterol levels in clinical studies. Finally, we present the cholesterol-lowering function of beneficial commensal microbes, such as Akkermansia and Bacteroides spp., as these microbes have potential to be the next-generation probiotics (NGPs). The information reviewed in this paper will help people to understand how the gut microbiome might alter cholesterol metabolism and enable the development of NGPs to prevent and treat CVD.

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacteria, strains L1-7-SET and R6, isolated from marine red algae, were characterized. They shared 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and a 100 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) value, representing members of a single species. Cells of strains L1-7-SET and R6 were catalase- and oxidase-positive motile rods with a single polar flagellum. Strains L1-7-SET and R6 optimally grew at 30–35 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and with 1.0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Ubiquinone-10 was the sole isoprenoid quinone and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) were detected as the major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents of strains L1-7-SET and R6 were both 61.62 mol%. The polar lipids of strain L1-7-SET consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and 120 protein marker sequences revealed that strains L1-7-SET and R6 formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Nitratireductor and they were most closely related to Nitratireductor aquibiodomus NL21T and Nitratireductor kimnyeongensis KY 101T with both 98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Digital DDH values between strain L1-7-SET and the type strains of N. aquibiodomus and N. kimnyeongensis were 60.3 and 29.5 %, respectively. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features support that strains L1-7-SET and R6 represents a novel species of the genus Nitratireductor , for which the name Nitratireductor rhodophyticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is L1-7-SET (=KACC 19076T=KCTC 92231T=JCM 31802T).

A Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive and aerobic bacterium, designated strain R798T, was isolated from soil in South Korea. Cells were motile rods by means of a single polar flagellum. Growth of strain R798T was observed at 15–35 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C), pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, 6.0) and 0–1.5 % NaCl (optimum, 0.3 %). Strain R798T contained ubiquinone-8 as the sole isoprenoid quinone, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids and phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain R798T calculated from the whole genome sequence was 63.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences revealed that strain R798T formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus Massilia . Strain R798T was most closely related to Massilia eurypsychrophila B528-3T with a 98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain R798T and the type strain of M. eurypsychrophila were 79.2 and 22.7 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses, strain R798T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia , for which the name Massilia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R798T (=KACC 22114T=JCM 34601T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase-negative, oxidase-positive and non-motile rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CrO1T, was isolated from a freshwater alga Cryptomonas obovoidea in the Nakdong river of South Korea. Colonies of CrO1T were white, convex and circular and growth was observed at 25–40 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7) and in the presence of 0–0.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). CrO1T contained C16 : 0, summed feature 5 (comprising C18 : 0ante and/or C18 : 2ω6,9c), C18 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) as the major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) and ubiquinone-8 as the sole respiratory quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine was detected as the major polar lipid. The DNA G+C content of CrO1T, calculated from the whole genome sequence was 69.6 mol%. CrO1T was most closely related to Ramlibacter humi 18x22-1T with a 97.6 % 16S rRNA sequence similarity and shared less than 97.4 % 16S rRNA sequence similarities with other type strains. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences revealed that CrO1T formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus Ramlibacter . On the basis of the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analysis, CrO1T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Ramlibacter , for which the name Ramlibacter algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CrO1T (=KACC 19926T=JCM 33302T).

The taste and quality of soy sauce, a fermented liquid condiment popular worldwide, is greatly influenced by microbial metabolism during fermentation. To investigate the fermentative features of ganjang (a Korean traditional soy sauce), ganjang batches using meju (fermented soybean) bricks and solar salts were prepared, and organic compounds, microbial communities, metagenomes, and metatranscriptomes of ganjang were quantitively analyzed during fermentation. Polymeric compound analysis in the ganjang treated with/without microbial inhibitors revealed that indigenous enzymes of meju bricks might be primarily responsible for degrading polymeric compounds. Through metagenome binning and microbe sequencing, 17 high-quality genome sequences representing all major ganjang microbiota were obtained, and their transcriptional expressions were quantitatively analyzed by mapping metatranscriptome reads normalized by spike-in RNA sequencing to the 17 genomes, which revealed that microbial metabolism might primarily occur while meju bricks are in the ganjang solution and decrease significantly after the removal of meju bricks. Metabolic pathways for carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids of the major ganjang microbiota were reconstructed, and their metabolic genes were transcriptionally analyzed, revealing that facultative lactic acid fermentation by Tetragenococcus was the major fermentation process active in the ganjang fermentation and that aerobic respiration by facultatively aerobic bacteria such as Chromohalobacter, Halomonas, and Marinobacter was also an important metabolic process during fermentation. Although the abundances of Fungi and the corresponding transcriptional expression levels were generally much lower than those of Bacteria, our analysis suggests that yeasts such as Debaryomyces and Wickerhamomyces might be in large part responsible for producing biogenic amines and flavors. IMPORTANCE The taste and quality of soy sauce, a popular fermented liquid condiment worldwide, is greatly influenced by microbial metabolism during fermentation. Spontaneous fermentation of ganjang (a Korean traditional soy sauce) in a nonsterile environment leads to the growth of diverse bacteria and fungi during fermentation, making it difficult to understand the mechanism of ganjang fermentation. Genome-centered metatranscriptomic analysis, combined with organic compound analysis, quantitative metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses, and metabolic pathway reconstruction and expressional analysis of the major ganjang microbiota during fermentation, would provide comprehensive insights into the metabolic features of ganjang fermentation.

A strict aerobic bacterium, strain JW14T was isolated from soil in the Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-endospore-forming and motile rods showing catalase-positive and oxidase-negative activities. Growth of strain JW14T was observed at 20–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0–2.0% NaCl (optimum, 0%). Strain JW14T contained menaquinone-7 as the sole isoprenoid quinone, anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids (>10.0%), and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminophospholipids and an unidentified lipid as the major polar lipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain JW14T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain JW14T calculated from the whole genome sequence was 48.1 mol%. Strain JW14T was most closely related to Paenibacillus graminis DSM 15220T with 97.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JW14T formed a distinct phyletic lineage from closely related type strains within the genus Paenibacillus . Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses, strain JW14T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus , for which the name Paenibacillus agri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JW14T (=KACC 21840T=JCM 34279T).

Two Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented and strictly aerobic bacteria, designated strains SE-s27T and SE-s28T, were isolated from forest soil. Both strains were non-motile rods that were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative and grew optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 8.0 and with 0 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain SE-s28T produced flexirubin-type pigments, but strain SE-s27T did not produce them. Both strains contained menaquinone-6 as the sole respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine as a major polar lipid. As the major cellular fatty acids (>10 %), SE-s27T contained iso-C15 : 1 and iso-C15 : 1G, whereas SE-s28T contained iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH. The DNA G+C contents of strains SE-s27T and SE-s28T were 33.1 and 44.3 mol%, respectively. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that SE-s27T and SE-s28T formed respective distinct phylogenetic lineages within the genus Flavobacterium . Strains SE-s27T and SE-s28T were most closely related to Flavobacterium macrobrachii an-8T and Flavobacterium piscinae ICH-30T with 98.0 and 94.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. In conclusion, strains SE-s27T and SE-s28T represent novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the names Flavobacterium solisilvae sp. nov. and Flavobacterium silvaticum sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of F. solisilvae and F. silvaticum are SE-s27T (=KACC 18802T=JCM 31544T) and SE-s28T (=KACC 18803T=JCM 31545T), respectively.

Strain MaA-C15T, a Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming and strictly aerobic bacterium, was isolated from a xenic culture of Microcystis aeruginosa in the Republic of Korea. Cells were motile rods showing positive reactions in catalase and oxidase tests. Growth was observed between 15 and 37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), between pH 6.0 and pH 11.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in the presence of 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Strain MaA-C15T contained C16 : 0, 11-methyl-C18 : 1 ω7c, cyclo-C19 : 0 ω8c and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c) as the major cellular fatty acids and ubiquinone-10 as the sole respiratory quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified glycolipid and three unidentified phospholipids were detected as the major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 64.1 mol%. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences revealed that strain MaA-C15T formed a phyletic lineage with Mesorhizobium sediminum YIM M12096T within the family Phyllobacteriaceae . Strain MaA-C15T was most closely related to Mesorhizobium albiziae DSM 21822T with a 98.2 % 16S rRNA sequence similarity. Average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MaA-C15T and M. albiziae DSM 21822T were 75.4 and 20.1 %, respectively. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses, strain MaA-C15T represents a novel species of the genus Mesorhizobium , for which the name Mesorhizobium microcysteis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MaA-C15T (=KACC 21226T=JCM 33503T).

A Gram-stain negative, facultative aerobic bacterial strain, designated strain S-16T, was isolated from soil in South Korea. Colonies were white-milkish and cells were non-motile rods with oxidase- and catalase-positive activities. The growth of strain S-16T was observed at 20–40 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C) and pH 5.5–7.0 (optimum, pH 6.5). Ubiquinone-8 was identified as the sole respiratory quinone and C12:0, C16:0, C18:0, C15:1ω5c and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids (>5%). The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified polar lipid. The G + C content of the genomic DNA calculated from the whole genome sequence was 66.8 mol%. Strain S-16T was most closely related to Piscinibacter aquaticus IMCC1728T, Rhizobacter gummiphilus NS21T and Rhizobacter dauci H6T with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.93%, 97.93% and 97.44%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences suggested that strain S-16T could form a distinct phyletic lineage as a new genus within the family Comamonadaceae. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain S-16T represents the type strain of a novel species of a novel genus within the family Comamonadaceae, for which the name Geomonas soli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-16T (= KACC 19792T = JCM 32971T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain Gri0909T, was isolated from a red marine alga, Grinnellia species, in the Yellow Sea of the Republic of Korea. Cells were motile by a single polar flagellum and short-rods showing oxidase and catalase activities. Growth was observed at 10–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0–12.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0–3.0 %). Strain Gri0909T contained C16 : 0, C18 : 1 2-OH, anteiso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) as major fatty acids. Ubiquinone-10 was identified as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, an identified phospholipid, four unidentified aminolipids and five unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA calculated from the whole-genome sequence was 59.1 mol%. Strain Gri0909T was most closely related to Marivibriohalodurans ZC80T with 91.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Gri0909T formed a phyletic lineage within the family Rhodospirillaceae . The very low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, together with distinct phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, served to differentiate strain Gri0909T from phylogenetically closely related genera. Here it is proposed that strain Gri0909T represents a new species of a novel genus of the family Rhodospirillaceae , for which the name Hwanghaeella grinnelliae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gri0909T (=KACC 19793T=JCM 32943T).

The genomic and metabolic diversity and features of Tetragenococcus halophilus, a moderately halophilic lactic acid bacterium, were investigated by pan-genome, transcriptome, and metabolite analyses. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences of 15 T. halophilus strains revealed their phylogenetic distinctness from other Tetragenococcus species. Pan-genome analysis of the T. halophilus strains showed that their carbohydrate metabolic capabilities were diverse and strain dependent. Aside from one histidine decarboxylase gene in one strain, no decarboxylase gene associated with biogenic amine production was identified from the genomes. However, T. halophilus DSM 20339T produced tyramine without a biogenic amine-producing decarboxylase gene, suggesting the presence of an unidentified tyramine-producing gene. Our reconstruction of the metabolic pathways of these strains showed that T. halophilus harbors a facultative lactic acid fermentation pathway to produce l-lactate, ethanol, acetate, and CO2 from various carbohydrates. The transcriptomic analysis of strain DSM 20339T suggested that T. halophilus may produce more acetate via the heterolactic pathway (including d-ribose metabolism) at high salt conditions. Although genes associated with the metabolism of glycine betaine, proline, glutamate, glutamine, choline, and citrulline were identified from the T. halophilus genomes, the transcriptome and metabolite analyses suggested that glycine betaine was the main compatible solute responding to high salt concentration and that citrulline may play an important role in the coping mechanism against high salinity-induced osmotic stresses. Our results will provide a better understanding of the genome and metabolic features of T. halophilus, which has implications for the food fermentation industry.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterial strain, designated EO9T, was isolated from gasoline-contaminated soil in the Republic of Korea. Cells were non-motile short rods showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth was observed at 10–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (pH 6.5) and in the presence of 0–0.5 % (w/v) NaCl (0 %). Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and spermidine were identified as the predominant respiratory quinone and polyamine, respectively. Summed feature 8 (comprising C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c), C16:0 and C14:0 2-OH were identified as major cellular fatty acids. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EO9T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with Sphingobium xenophagum NBRC 107872T and Sphingobium hydrophobicum C1T within the genus Sphingobium . Strain EO9T was most closely related to S. xenophagum NBRC 107872T (97.2 %) and S. hydrophobicum C1T (97.2 %), but DNA–DNA relatedness levels between strain EO9T and the type strains of S. xenophagum and S. hydrophobicum were 37.1 and 36.8 % , respectively. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain EO9T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobium , for which the name Sphingobium terrigena sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EO9T (=KACC 19523T=JCM 32762T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated StC1T, was isolated from a marine alga, Stylonema cornu-cervi, in the Republic of Korea. Cells were oxidase- and catalase-positive rods that were motile by a single lateral flagellum. Growth of strain StC1T was observed at 30–45 °C(optimum, 37 °C), pH 6.0–11.0 (pH 7.0) and in the presence of 1.0–8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (2 %). Strain StC1T contained summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c) and 11-methyl-C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. Sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol and ubiquinone-10 were identified as the major polar lipids and the sole isoprenoid quinone, respectively. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 64.7 mol%. Strain StC1T was most closely related to Oricola cellulosilytica CC-AMH-OT, Nitratireductor basaltis J3T, Aquamicrobium ahrensii 905/1T and Mesorhizobium tamadayense Ala-3T with 97.3 , 96.9 , 96.8 and 96.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively, but it formed a distinct phylogenic lineage within the family Phyllobacteriaceae . On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain StC1T represents a novel genus of the family Phyllobacteriaceae , for which the name Oceaniradius stylonematis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is StC1T (=KACC 19231T=JCM 32050T).