A search for the microorganisms responsible for the anaerobic degradation of osmoprotectants in soda lakes resulted in the isolation of a novel halophilic and alkalitolerant strain, designated Z-7514T. The cells were Gram-stain-negative and non-endospore-forming rods. Optimal growth occurs at 1.6-2.1 M Na+, pH 8.0-8.5, and 31-35 °C. The strain utilized mainly sugars, low molecular polyols, and ethanolamine as well. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain Z-7514T was 33.3 mol%. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses revealed that strain Z-7514T belongs to the genus Halanaerobium. On the basis of phenotypic properties and the dDDH and ANI values with close validly published species, it was proposed to evolve strain Z-7514T within the genus Halanaerobium into novel species, for which the name Halanaerobium polyolivorans sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain was Z-7514T (=KCTC 25405T = VKM B-3577T). For species of the genus Halanaerobium, the utilization of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and ethanolamine were shown for the first time. The anaerobic degradation of glycols and ethanolamine by strain Z-7514T may represent a novel metabiotic pathway within the alkaliphilic microbial community. Based on a detailed genomic analysis, the main pathways of catabolism of most of the used substrates have been identified.
Keywords: Halanaerobium; alkaliphilic microbial community; ethanolamine; glycerol; polyol degradation.