Acholeplasma

Acholeplasma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Bacteria
Division:	Firmicutes
Class:	Mollicutes
Order:	Acholeplasmatales
Family:	Acholeplasmataceae
Genus:	Acholeplasma Edward & Freundt 1970
Species
Acholeplasma axanthum Acholeplasma brassicae Acholeplasma cavigenitalium Acholeplasma entomophilum Acholeplasma equifetale Acholeplasma florum Acholeplasma granularum Acholeplasma hippikon Acholeplasma laidlawii Acholeplasma modicum Acholeplasma morum Acholeplasma multilocale Acholeplasma oculi Acholeplasma palmae Acholeplasma parvum Acholeplasma pleciae Acholeplasma seiffertii Acholeplasma vituli

Acholeplasma are wall-less bacteria in the Mollicutes class. They include saprotrophic or pathogenic species. There are 15 recognised species. The G+C content is low, ranging from 26 - 36% (mol%). The genomes of Acholeplasma species range in size from 1.5 to 1.65 Mbp. Cholesterol is not required for growth. The species are found on animals, and some plants and insects. The optimum growth temperature is 30 to 37 degrees Celsius.

Acholeplasma laidlawii may contaminate bovine serum and also occurs in serum-free cell culture media products. Unsubstantiated evidence of A. laidlawii contamination of tryptone soya broth existed for some years prior to proof of the organism's contaminating nutrient broth powders. The presence of A. laidlawii in broth powders is a serious problem in routine biopharmaceutical operations where filtration is used as a sterilisation procedure. A. laidlawii may flourish and survive for prolonged periods at refrigeration and ambient temperatures in serum-free cell culture media.