Clostridium phytofermentans, SEM

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Clostridium phytofermentans, Gram-positive, anaerobic, rod shaped prokaryote (bacterium). C. phytofermentans is a spore-forming bacterium that naturally occurs amongst decomposing plant and animal matter. In this image both vegetative and spore-forming cells (with rounded cell tips) are seen. C. phytofermentans is a soil bacterium that can utilize lignocellulose (a type of cellulose) to generate ethanol, thus making it a possible candidate for use in ethanol production. Cellulose is prominent in cell walls of higher plant life and thus is an important by product of agricultural and municipal waste. Microorganisms primarily carry out the decomposition of cellulose and this process is an important step in the cycling of carbon in the biosphere. Magnification: x6,665 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.