Alcaligenes faecalis
Encyclopedia
Alcaligenes faecalis is a Gram-negative
, rod-shaped, motile, non-nitrate reducing, oxidase positive, catalase positive, beta hemolytic, and citrate positive obligate aerobe
that is commonly found in the environment. It was originally named for its first discovery in feces
, but was later found to be much more common in other places as well. Optimum growth occurs at about 37°C with no pigmentation. While opportunistic infection
s do occur, the bacterium is generally considered non-pathogenic. When an opportunistic infection does occur, it is usually observed in the form of a urinary tract infection. The bacterium degrades urea, creating ammonia which increases the pH of the environment. Although A. faecalis is considered to be alkaline tolerant, it maintains a neutral pH in its cytosol to prevent the damaging or denaturing of its charged species and macromolecules.
A. faecalis has been used for the production of non-standard amino acids. A. faecalis is normally found in soil, water, and environments in association with humans.
Gram-negative
Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria that do not retain crystal violet dye in the Gram staining protocol. In a Gram stain test, a counterstain is added after the crystal violet, coloring all Gram-negative bacteria with a red or pink color...
, rod-shaped, motile, non-nitrate reducing, oxidase positive, catalase positive, beta hemolytic, and citrate positive obligate aerobe
Obligate aerobe
An obligate aerobe is an aerobic organism that requires oxygen to grow. Through cellular respiration, these organisms use oxygen to oxidize substances, like sugars or fats, in order to obtain energy. During respiration, they use oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor...
that is commonly found in the environment. It was originally named for its first discovery in feces
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
, but was later found to be much more common in other places as well. Optimum growth occurs at about 37°C with no pigmentation. While opportunistic infection
Opportunistic infection
An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens, particularly opportunistic pathogens—those that take advantage of certain situations—such as bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan infections that usually do not cause disease in a healthy host, one with a healthy immune system...
s do occur, the bacterium is generally considered non-pathogenic. When an opportunistic infection does occur, it is usually observed in the form of a urinary tract infection. The bacterium degrades urea, creating ammonia which increases the pH of the environment. Although A. faecalis is considered to be alkaline tolerant, it maintains a neutral pH in its cytosol to prevent the damaging or denaturing of its charged species and macromolecules.
A. faecalis has been used for the production of non-standard amino acids. A. faecalis is normally found in soil, water, and environments in association with humans.