Syntrophomonas zehnderi is a bacterium. It is anaerobic, syntrophic (in association with methanogens, particularly Methanobacterium formicicum) and fatty‑acid‑oxidizing. The type strain is OL‑4T (=DSM 17840T =JCM 13948T). Cells are slightly curved, non‑motile rods.
S. zehnderi thrives near 37 degrees C and relies on hydrogen-foraging methanogens to break down C4--C18 fatty acids into acetate, propionate, and methane.
Biotechnological application Seeding oleate-fed digesters with S. zehnderi shortens its ignition times and boosts methane production, which is regarded as a sustainable and therefore valuable biofuel.
References
External links Type strain of S. zehnderi at BacDive – the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase