Isolation and characterization of a new Methanosarcina mazei strain GFJ07 from a mountain forest pond

Aims: A new methanogenic strain, named GFJ07, was isolated from a pond of mountain forests in Guangxi, China. Cells grown in liquid culture tended to form aggregates with pseudosarcina-like or irregular shape. Methodology and Results: The optimum temperature, pH and NaCl concentration were 35 ℃, 7.0 and 0.5%, respectively. The isolate used methanol, trimethylamine, acetate and H2-CO2 as substrates. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequences revealed strain GFJ07 showed the highest sequence similarity of 99.9% to Methanosarcina mazei. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The cells were Gram positive and nonmotile. Most of single cell grew as a sausage-like clinder about 0.5 μm in diameter and 1.0 μm in length.