A strictly anaerobic, gram-negative bacterium was isolated from rice field soils by using lactate as a sole
carbon and energy source. The cells were non-spore-forming, motile, curved rods. Optimal growth occurred
at 35°C and pH 6.8. No NaCl requirement was observed. Vitamins were required for growth. Our isolate,
strain B4BoT (T = type strain), fermented pyruvate, fumarate, malate, citrate, dihydroxyacetone, fructose,
1,2=propanediol, glutamate, and aspartate to acetate, propionate, succinate, and traces of hydrogen. Strain
B4BoT did not use ribose or glycerol as an energy source, although glycerol degradation produced mainly
1,3=propanediol. Ferric iron was facultatively reduced. Nitrate and sulfate were not reduced. Cytochrome b
was present. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of the DNA was 44.1 +, 0.1 mol%. We propose that strain B4Bo
(= DSM 6283) should be the type strain of a new species in the genusAnaeruvibriu, Anaeruvibriu burkinabensis.

Anaerovibrio burkinabensis, lactate fermentation, rice field soils, Burkina Faso, iron-reucing bacteria