Syntrophus Benzoate Degrader

A syntrophic, obligate two-member anaerobic consortium consisting of Syntrophus aciditrophicus SB, which degrades benzoate and other aromatic compounds to acetate and H2/formate, and Methanospirillum hungatei, a hydrogen-utilizing methanogen. S. aciditrophicus degrades benzoate only in coculture with H2-using microorganisms, as it uses protons as the electron acceptor with H2 and formate as electron sink products. The removal of H2 by M. hungatei is thermodynamically essential for continued benzoate degradation by S. aciditrophicus. This syntrophic relationship is important for understanding aromatic compound degradation and bioremediation in anaerobic environments such as sediments and contaminated aquifers.