Isolated colonies of Clostridium acetobutylicum, grown anaerobically for 2 d before exposure to aerobic conditions, developed into unique elongated fruiting body-like structures which reached a height of > 10 mm. The elongated structures were surrounded by an extracellular fibrous substance which formed a tough pliable sheath on exposure to air. Vegetative and sporulating cells were restricted to the basal region of the structure; the trunk region contained mainly free spores and a small number of granulated or lysed cells. Colonies maintained under anaerobic conditions did not produce the elongated macroscopic structures.
BarberJ.M., RobbF.T., WebsterJ.R., WoodsD.R.1979; Bacteriocin production by Clostridium acetobutylicum in an industrial fermentation process. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 37:433–437
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