Cellulomonas

Cellulomonas is a genus of Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacteria in the family Cellulomonadaceae, within the phylum Actinobacteria. Members are typically rod-shaped and occur widely in soil and decaying plant matter. The genus is characterized by their ability to hydrolyze cellulose through extracellular enzymes, enabling breakdown of plant material in their environments.

Physiological traits include being aerobic, heterotrophic, and non-motile. They grow at moderate temperatures and specialize in degrading plant polysaccharides, often in communities that decompose lignocellulose. Their cellulolytic enzymes include endoglucanases and exoglucanases that act on cellulose and related substrates.

Notable species include Cellulomonas fimi and Cellulomonas cellulovorans, both studied for their cellulolytic enzyme systems and role in lignocellulose degradation. These organisms are primarily environmental, isolated from soil, compost, and plant matter, and are used as models for understanding cellulose breakdown and enzyme adaptation.

Ecology and applications: as soil inhabitants, Cellulomonas species contribute to carbon cycling and biomass turnover. Their enzymes have attracted interest for industrial processing of plant biomass and biofuel research. While most species are environmental, sporadic human-associated isolates have been reported but are uncommon, reflecting a predominantly environmental lineage.