Butyrivibrio strains – important butyrate producing bacteria from animal gastro-intestinal tract and current taxonomic status of strains in this genus

Abstract

Bacteria belonging to or resembling the genus Butyrivibrio represent a significant proportion of bacterial isolates from different mammalian gastro-intestinal tracts from all over the world. The main characteristic of this genus is production of butyric acid, which has an important role in maintaining colonic health. The rumen strains – B. fibrisolvens are also known producers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), bacteriocins and several hydrolytic enzymes that contribute to effective forage digestion. Genus Butyrivibrio contains isolates that are very diverse in both genomic and phenotypic properties. Different researchers have proposed the grouping of isolates on the basis of some specific characteristics but up to now none was recognised as a new species. Therefore, a complex approach is needed to set basis for new species delineation and characterisations and to define a set of reasonable diagnostic methods for their discrimination.