Geobacillus stearothermophilus

Description:
•    Geobacillus stearothermophilus (G. stearothermophilus) is a rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium and a member of the division Firmicutes.
•    First identified in 1920 and named Bacillus stearothermophilus; it was reclassified as a member of the genus Geobacillus in 2001.

Interesting Facts:
•    The word Geobacillus means ‘soil or earth’ and ‘small rod’.
•    The bacterium is a thermophile, is widely distributed in soil, hot springs, ocean sediment, and is a cause of spoilage in food products.
•    G. stearothermophilus has an optimal growth temperature of 55°C, although it has been observed to survive temperatures as high as 130°C.
•    Geobacillus bacteria are utilised in the biotechnology industry as sources of thermostable enzymes, as platforms for biofuel production, and as potential components of bioremediation strategies.
•    To date over 60 Geobacillus genomes have been sequenced, mainly to identify genes that could be used in different biotechnological applications.
•    These bacteria have a self-preservation technique – they can form endospores and can remain in this dormant stage for very long periods of time, until conditions for growth are favourable.
•    G. stearothermophilus is used to verify decontamination of many laboratory processes as a biological indicator (BI).

Infection:
•    G. stearothermophilus has not been observed to be pathogenic to any host.
•    G. stearothermophilus has a significant role in the spoilage of food, especially milk and dairy products as it can survive the pasteurization process due to its heat-tolerance.
https://wickhammicro.co.uk/knowledge-and-education/geobacillus-stearothermophilus

Geobacillus stearothermophilus

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