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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Medium Preparation for the Cultivation of Microorganisms under Strictly Anaerobic/Anoxic Conditions

Medium Preparation for the Cultivation of Microorganisms under Strictly Anaerobic/Anoxic Conditions

Published on: August 15, 2019

Nitrogen fixation by anaerobic cellulolytic bacteria.

S B Leschine, K Holwell, E Canale-Parola

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|November 25, 1988

Summary

Newly discovered anaerobic bacteria can fix nitrogen using cellulose as an energy source. This finding suggests these cellulose-fermenting bacteria may be widespread and important for global carbon and nitrogen cycling.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Environmental Science
Biochemistry

Background:

Anaerobic bacteria play crucial roles in nutrient cycling.
Cellulose is an abundant plant polysaccharide.
Nitrogen fixation is essential for life, converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Purpose of the Study:

To isolate and characterize anaerobic bacteria capable of both cellulose fermentation and nitrogen fixation.
To investigate the potential ecological significance of such microorganisms.

Main Methods:

Isolation of bacterial strains from freshwater mud and soil.
Cultivation under anaerobic conditions.
Demonstration of nitrogenase activity and cellulose fermentation.

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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

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Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Medium Preparation for the Cultivation of Microorganisms under Strictly Anaerobic/Anoxic Conditions

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Published on: August 15, 2019

Adherence of Bacteria to Plant Surfaces Measured in the Laboratory

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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on ¹⁴NH₄⁺/¹⁵NH₄⁺ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N₂O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Main Results:

Four novel strains of anaerobic, nitrogen-fixing, cellulose-fermenting bacteria were successfully isolated in pure culture.
Nitrogenase activity was confirmed in these new strains and in previously described anaerobic cellulolytic bacteria.
This represents the first documented instance of anaerobic bacteria utilizing cellulose for energy in nitrogen fixation.

Conclusions:

Anaerobic bacteria capable of cellulose fermentation and nitrogen fixation have been identified.
These bacteria may be widespread in natural environments.
They have the potential to significantly impact global carbon and nitrogen cycling.