| Description | Shewanella putrefaciens is a mesophilic bacterium that thrives in temperatures ranging from 20-40°C, making it a moderate thermophile. It is a chemoheterotroph, meaning it obtains its energy from the breakdown of organic compounds and requires organic matter as its energy source. This process is known as chemo-organoheterotrophy, where the bacterium uses cellular respiration to produce ATP from the degradation of organic molecules. Shewanella putrefaciens is a Gram-negative bacterium, characterized by its thin peptidoglycan layer and lipopolysaccharide outer membrane. It exhibits a rod-shaped morphology, with elliptical or rectangular cells that are typically 1-5 μm in length. This microbe is found in a variety of environments, including soil, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, as well as on the skin and mucous membranes of animals. Its ability to adapt to different environments allows it to survive in a wide range of ecological niches. Shewanella putrefaciens is an obligate anaerobe, meaning it requires a low-oxygen environment to thrive. In fact, it can even thrive in the absence of oxygen, using alternative electron acceptors such as iron or sulfur to respire. One of the unique features of this microbe is its ability to reduce ferric iron and manganese, which is essential for its survival in environments where these metals are abundant. This ability also allows it to play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of these metals in ecosystems. Despite its relatively well-studied characteristics, Shewanella putrefaciens remains a significant contributor to food spoilage and foodborne illnesses, particularly in environments where improper storage and handling of food occur. Its ability to thrive in a wide range of environments and its intolerance to oxygen make it a formidable microbe that continues to be a challenge for food safety professionals. |
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