Characterization of Strains of Clostridium puniceum sp.no v., a Pink-pigmented, Pectolytic Bacterium

The properties of ten strains of pink-pigmented, pectolytic clostridia implicated in spoilage of potatoes and one strain isolated from carrots have been compared with reference strains. On the basis of the position of spore formation, ability to degrade gelatin, and formation of butanol plus acetic and butyric acids, the organisms resemble Clostridium acetobutylicum, C. aurantibutyricum and C.felsineum , but they differ sufficiently from these bacteria to warrant recognition as a new species.