Methanocella paludicola SANAE

Methanocella paludicola (strain DSM 17711 / JCM 13418 / NBRC 101707 / SANAE) is a mesophilic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen archaeon isolated from an anaerobic, propionate-degrading enrichment culture, which was originally established from rice paddy soil. It belongs to an abundant and ubiquitous group of methanogens called rice cluster I (RC-I) whose members are most active and play a key role in methane production from rice paddy field (RPF). Growth of M. paludicola is observed at 25-40 degrees Celsius, with an optimum temperature range for growth of 35-37 degrees Celsius. The pH range for growth is 6.5-7.8, with an optimum at pH 7.0. It is able to utilize H2/CO2 and formate for growth and methane production. M. paludicola possesses the mcrA gene encoding the alpha subunit of methyl-coenzyme M reductase, a key enzyme in the methane production pathway. (Adaptated from PMID: 18398197). (HAMAP: METPS)