Genome Deoxyribonucleic Acid of the Genus Zymomonas Kluyver and van Niel 1936: Base Composition, Size, and Similarities

Some features of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from 41 Zymomonas strains from Zaïrese palm wines, Mexican pulque, and English beer and cider were determined. DNA base composition varies within the narrow range of 47.5 to 49.5 mol% guanine plus cytosine. DNA:DNA hybridizations in stringent conditions show high nucleotide sequence similarities of over 76% DNA duplexing (% D), but mostly over 90% D. There is one slightly aberrant strain with less than 32% D. The molecular weight of the Zymomonas genome is 1.5 x 109. Z. mobilis and Z. anaerobia have almost identical genomes. Our data do not support species differentiation.