Improving the isolation of anaerobes on solid media: the example of the fastidious Methanosaeta.

Methanosaeta spp. are globally important biogenic methane producers with only three strains described due to isolation difficulties. Here, clonal axenic isolates from estuarine sediments were obtained using alternative gelling and reducing agents. It is suggested that more systematic approaches with various combinations of media components will help to cultivate difficult-to-isolate anaerobes.