The genus
Hydrogenobacter is an obligately chemolithotrophic and autotrophic hyperthermophile. Various
Hydrogenobacter species utilize H
2, S
0, or S
2O
32- as electron donors and O
2 or NO
3- as electron acceptors and grow up to 95°C (optimum, 85°C). Nutritional studies of
Hydrogenobacter species have shown them totally unable to grow chemoorganotrophically on organic compounds including complex mixtures like yeast or meat extract.
Aquifex, a relative of
Hydrogenobacter, shows most of the same properties as
Hydrogenobacter but can only tolerate very low O
2 concentrations.
Taken from the text Brock Biology of Microorganisms (10th ed.). Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M., and Parker, J. 2003. Prentice Hall. 442p.