Hydrogenophilaceae

Taxobox
color = lightgrey
name = Hydrogenophilaceae
regnum = Bacteria
phylum = Proteobacteria
class = "Betaproteobacteria"
ordo = Hydrogenophilales
familia = Hydrogenophilaceae
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Hydrogenophilus"
"Thiobacillus"The Hydrogenophilaceae are a family of "Betaproteobacteria", with two genera. "Hydrogenophilus" are thermophilic, growing around 50 °C and obtaining their energy from oxidizing hydrogen. The genus "Thiobacillus", redefined to include only those species included among the "Betaproteobacteria", is also included. Other members organisms once named "Thiobacillus" were transferred to "Acidithiobacillus" (e.g. "Thiobacillus thiooxidans"), "Halothiobacillus" (e.g. "Thiobacillus neapolitanus") and "Thermithiobacillus" (e.g. "Thiobacillus tepidarius") [Kelly, D.P., and Wood, A.P. "Reclassification of some species of "Thiobacillus" to the newly designated genera "Acidithiobacillus" gen. nov., "Halothiobacillus" gen. nov. and "Thermithiobacillus" gen. nov." Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. (2000) 50:489-500.] .

"Thiobacillus" spp. can be used in pest control, such as potato scabs. If an affected area is treated with sulfur and "Thiobacillus" spp., the bacteria will oxidise the sulfur to sulfuric acid, which will destroy the pest, as the potato scabs cannot tolerate acidic conditions. "Thiobacillus thioparus" may contribute to the formation of acid rain through the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfurous acid.

References