Fermentation of inulin by a new strain of Clostridium thermoautotrophicum isolated from dahlia tubers

Abstract

A new inulin-fermenting strain of Clostridium thermoautotrophicum was isolated through enrichment on dahlia tubers, and subsequent plating on agar media with undissolved inulin. Both the cell-bound and cell-free inulinase(s) functioned optimally at 60°C and atneutral pH. This new strain I1 is readily distinguished from the type strain of C. thermoautotrophicum with respect to fermentation products, substrate spectrum and optimum temperature for growth. © 1991.