Anaerobutyricum
Anaerobutyricum is a genus of Gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria in the family Lachnospiraceae. These bacteria are important members of the gut microbiota and are known for their ability to produce short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate and propionate through the fermentation of dietary substrates.
Taxonomy
The genus was established in 2018 when Eubacterium hallii was reclassified as Anaerobutyricum hallii, and a new species, Anaerobutyricum soehngenii, was described. The classification was based on genomic and phenotypic differences that justified separation from the polyphyletic genus Eubacterium.
As of now, the genus comprises two recognized species:
- Anaerobutyricum hallii – formerly Eubacterium hallii
- Anaerobutyricum soehngenii
Ecology and physiology
Species of Anaerobutyricum are typically isolated from human or infant feces, where they play a role in fermenting carbohydrates and organic acids. They are non-spore-forming and non-motile, and grow under strictly anaerobic conditions.