Isolation and characterization of four methylotrophic bacterial strains

Four pure methylotrophic bacterial strains isolated from Kuwaiti soil were designated KISRI‐5, KISRI‐6.1, KISRI‐512 and KISRI‐5112, and deposited in NCIMB under NCIB numbers 12135, 12136, 12137 and 12138, respectively. Characterization tests showed that they grew well on methanol and slowly on glucose, at temperatures up to 44 °C and pH 7.0. However, they could not grow on numerous other organic carbon sources. The four strains were very close taxonomically, with minor differences in colony characteristics, lipids pattern, mole G + C% and resistance to certain antibiotics. All strains utilized monomethylamine, but not methane or trimethylamine; all contained ubiquinones with eight isoprene units (Q₈), and had C₁₆ as their major fatty acid component. Their characteristics indicate that they are different strains of restricted type M facultative methylotrophs, and could be considered new members of the genus Methylophilus.