[Characteristics of filamentous phototrophic bacteria from freshwater lakes]

Filamentous phototrophic bacteria were isolated in pure cultures from fresh-water stratified lakes, and identified as chlorobacteria. The photosynthesizing apparatus of these bacteria is chlorobium-vesicules, the main pigment is bacteriochlorophyll c. The bacteria do not require reduced compounds of sulphur; they are capable of anaerobic photosynthesis on organic compounds or grow under aerobic conditions in the light or in the darkness. They are mesophilic (optimum temperature is 25 degrees C); the optimum of pH is 7.0. A possibility to class these microorganisms as a new species of the genus Chloroflexus is discussed.