Re-identification of the halotolerant, biosurfactant-producing Bacillus licheniformis strain JF-2 as Bacillus mojavensis strain JF-2

SummaryBacillus strain JF-2 (ATCC 39307) is a halotolerant, biosurfactant-producing bacterium that was initially described as a member of the species Bacillus licheniformis based on a limited set of phenotypic characteristics. Here, genetic and phenotypic analyses were employed to determine the relationship of Bacillus strain JF-2 to other Bacillus strains. The restriction patterns with AluI and analysis of gyrA and 16S rRNA gene sequences grouped Bacillus strain JF-2 with B. mojavensisT and not with B. licheniformisT. DNA–DNA similarity showed JF-2 was 75% similar to B. mojavensisT and only 11% similar to B. licheniformisT. Both strain JF-2 and B. mojavensisT required DNA for anaerobic growth, but B. licheniformisT did not. B. mojavensisT and strain JF-2 did not grow anaerobically in thioglycollate medium or aerobically with propionate while B. licheniformisT grew under these conditions. DNA–DNA similarity, gene sequence data and phenotypic characteristics all support the assignment of JF-2 as a member of the species B. mojavensis.