Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

   
 

Dictyoglomus

(Redirected from Dictyoglomi)
Dictioglomi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Dictyoglomi
Class: Dictyoglomi
Order: Dictyoglomales
Family: Dictyoglomaceae
Genus: Dictyoglomus
Species: thermophilum
Binomial name
Dictyoglomus thermophilum

Dictyoglomus thermophilum is a species of bacterium, given its own phylum, called the Dictyoglomi. This organism is extremely thermophylic, meaning it thrives at extremely high temperatures. It is chemoorganotrophic, meaning it derives energy by metabolizing organic molecules. This organism is of interest because it elaborates an enzyme, xylanase, which digests xylan, a heteropolymer of the pentose sugar xylose. By pretreating wood pulp with this enzyme, paper manufacturers can achieve comparable levels of whiteness with much less chlorine bleach.


Last updated: 05-03-2005 09:00:33