Arthrobacter

Abstract

Arthrobacter is a genus of obligate aerobes bacteria characterized by a rod-coccus growth cycle. Arthrobacter spp. commonly are found in soils, aerial surface of plants, and wastewater sediments; they do not form endospores and are highly proteolytic. Recently, Arthrobacter spp. have been isolated from archaeological mural paintings as well as human and veterinary clinical sources. Arthrobacter spp. populate foods, such as ready-to-use vegetables, eggs, and raw milk, and contribute to the ripening of smear surface-ripened cheeses. Arthrobacters can degrade unusual and polymeric compounds and play an important role in biodegrading agrochemicals and pollutants. This chapter describes the taxonomy, metabolism, and genetics as well as the role of Arthrobacter spp in foods.