Clostridium saccharobutylicum

General Information

Clostridium saccharobutylicum is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its ability to produce solvents through the process of acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. This characteristic makes it particularly valuable in the field of industrial biotechnology. One of the most notable features of C. saccharobutylicum is its capacity to convert a variety of carbohydrates into butanol, a biofuel that is considered a superior alternative to ethanol due to its higher energy content and lower hygroscopicity. Clostridium saccharobutylicum is also interesting because of its metabolic versatility. It can utilize a wide range of substrates, including hexoses, pentoses, and even some complex polysaccharides, making it a robust candidate for biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass. This ability to ferment diverse substrates is particularly important for the development of sustainable and economically viable biofuel production processes. Another unique aspect of C. saccharobutylicum is its potential for genetic manipulation. Advances in genetic engineering have allowed researchers to enhance its solvent production capabilities and tailor its metabolic pathways for improved efficiency. This makes C. saccharobutylicum a model organism for studying and optimizing microbial fermentation processes. In addition to its industrial applications, C. saccharobutylicum is of scientific interest due to its role in the natural environment. It is commonly found in soil and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals, where it contributes to the breakdown of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients. Understanding its ecological role can provide insights into microbial ecology and the functioning of natural ecosystems. Overall, Clostridium saccharobutylicum stands out as a microorganism with significant potential for biotechnological applications, particularly in the production of biofuels and biochemicals. Its metabolic flexibility, genetic tractability, and ecological importance make it a valuable subject of study in both applied and fundamental microbiology.

Clostridium saccharobutylicum is a fascinating anaerobic bacterium known for its unique metabolic capabilities, particularly in the fermentation of sugars to produce solvents such as butanol, acetone, and ethanol. This organism is of significant interest in the field of biofuel production, as it can convert renewable biomass into valuable energy sources, making it a potential candidate for sustainable energy solutions. One of the standout features of C. saccharobutylicum is its ability to utilize a wide range of carbohydrates, including glucose, xylose, and other pentoses, which enhances its utility in various industrial applications. The metabolic pathways employed by this bacterium are well-studied, revealing insights into solventogenesis, a process that is crucial for the production of biofuels. The ability to switch between acid and solvent production depending on environmental conditions is particularly intriguing, showcasing the organism's adaptability and efficiency in resource utilization. Furthermore, C. saccharobutylicum has been explored for its potential in bioremediation processes, as it can thrive in environments contaminated with organic solvents. Its metabolic versatility allows it to degrade various pollutants, contributing to environmental cleanup efforts. In addition to its industrial applications, research on C. saccharobutylicum has provided valuable insights into the evolutionary adaptations of anaerobic bacteria, particularly in their metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms. This makes it a valuable model organism for studying microbial ecology and evolution. Overall, the unique characteristics of Clostridium saccharobutylicum not only highlight its potential for industrial applications but also underscore its importance in advancing our understanding of microbial processes and their ecological roles.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Clostridia

Order: Eubacteriales

Family: Clostridiaceae

Genus: Clostridium

Species: Clostridium saccharobutylicum

NCBI ID

169679

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/003/325/GCF_002003325.1_ASM200332v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002003325.1_ASM200332v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The bacterium Clostridium saccharobutylicum is a member of the Clostridia class and is primarily known for its role in fermentation processes. While it is not commonly associated with human disease, it has been studied for its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. One of the notable aspects of C. saccharobutylicum is its ability to produce butyric acid, which has implications for gut health and may play a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. Butyric acid is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier, thus contributing to overall intestinal health. In terms of pathogenicity, C. saccharobutylicum is generally considered non-pathogenic; however, its close relatives, such as Clostridium difficile, are well-known for causing severe gastrointestinal infections. This highlights the importance of understanding the ecological roles of different Clostridia species in the human microbiome. Furthermore, C. saccharobutylicum has been investigated for its potential in bioremediation and biofuel production, particularly in converting biomass into valuable chemicals. Its metabolic pathways are of interest for developing sustainable energy solutions, which indirectly relates to human health by promoting environmental health. Currently, there is limited information regarding antimicrobial resistance in C. saccharobutylicum, but its fermentation capabilities suggest that it may be less susceptible to certain antibiotics compared to other pathogenic Clostridia. Ongoing research may reveal more about its interactions with the human microbiome and its potential therapeutic applications, including the development of probiotics or therapeutics aimed at enhancing gut health. Overall, while C. saccharobutylicum is not a primary pathogen, its metabolic products and ecological roles warrant further investigation in the context of human health.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Clostridium saccharobutylicum is a bacterium commonly found in anaerobic environments, particularly in soil and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals. This microorganism thrives in conditions where oxygen is limited, making it well-suited for wetlands, marshes, and digestive systems of herbivores. Its ability to ferment sugars into butanol, acetone, and ethanol allows it to play a significant role in the carbon cycle and biodegradation processes within these ecosystems. In the soil biome, C. saccharobutylicum contributes to the breakdown of organic matter, enhancing soil fertility and nutrient cycling. It engages in symbiotic relationships with plant roots, aiding in nutrient absorption and promoting plant health. This interaction is particularly important in agricultural settings, where it can improve crop yields by enhancing soil quality. In the gastrointestinal tract, C. saccharobutylicum is involved in the fermentation of dietary fibers, producing short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial for host health. This bacterium can also compete with pathogenic microorganisms, thus playing a role in maintaining a balanced gut microbiome. Overall, C. saccharobutylicum is an essential player in anaerobic ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, soil health, and the overall stability of its habitats.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Clostridium saccharobutylicum is recognized for its significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the primary areas of interest is in biofuel production, where C. saccharobutylicum is utilized in the fermentation of sugars to produce butanol, a valuable biofuel. This process not only provides an alternative energy source but also contributes to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The ability of C. saccharobutylicum to ferment a wide range of carbohydrates makes it particularly useful in converting agricultural waste into biofuels, thus promoting sustainable energy solutions. In addition to biofuels, C. saccharobutylicum plays a role in biotechnology through its capacity for solventogenesis, where it produces solvents like acetone and butanol during anaerobic fermentation. This process has historical significance in the production of solvents for industrial applications, particularly during the early 20th century. Furthermore, the organism is also being explored for its potential in waste management. Its ability to degrade organic materials can be harnessed in biodegradation processes, helping to treat waste and reduce environmental pollution. By utilizing C. saccharobutylicum in waste treatment systems, industries can enhance the breakdown of organic waste, leading to more efficient waste management practices. Lastly, there is ongoing research into the pharmaceutical development potential of C. saccharobutylicum, particularly in the production of valuable metabolites and enzymes that can be used in various biochemical applications. The enzymatic activity of this microorganism can be harnessed for the synthesis of compounds that have therapeutic properties, thus contributing to the pharmaceutical industry. Overall, Clostridium saccharobutylicum demonstrates a multifaceted utility across several industries, particularly in biofuel production, biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development, making it a valuable organism for future industrial applications.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 8

LLM predicted phenotypes: 5

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemini-flash-1.5	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-pro	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct
Motility	N/A	true	false	false	false	false	false	true	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✗	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓
Aerophilicity	anaerobic	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	N/A	false	false	true	false	true	false	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	false	false	true	true	true	false	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false
Host association	FALSE	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	N/A	N/A	alpha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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