Shewanella denitrificans OS217 str. OS-217

Shewanella denitrificans OS217 str. OS-217 is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that typically exists in pairs or as single cells. This microbe is a heterotroph, utilizing organic compounds as its energy source, and is capable of thriving in aquatic environments. Its optimal growth temperature is approximately 20.0 degrees Celsius, indicating a preference for cooler conditions often found in natural water bodies. As a facultative anaerobe, S. denitrificans OS217 str. OS-217 can adapt to varying oxygen levels, allowing it to survive both in the presence and absence of oxygen. This flexibility in oxygen utilization may facilitate its growth in diverse aquatic ecosystems that experience fluctuating oxygen conditions, such as estuaries or sediments where oxygen gradients are present. Unique to its ecological role, S. denitrificans OS217 str. OS-217 contributes to biogeochemical cycles, particularly in the denitrification process, where it can reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas under anaerobic conditions. This capability not only highlights its potential importance in nitrogen cycling within aquatic habitats but also suggests its relevance in bioremediation efforts aimed at mitigating nitrogen pollution in freshwater and marine environments.