Kingdom Bacteria Family Propionibacteriaceae Higher classification Propionibacteriaceae Rank Genus | Order Propionibacteriales Scientific name Propionibacterium Phylum Actinobacteria | |
 | ||
Lower classifications Propionibacterium acnes, Propionibacterium freudenreichii | ||
Propionibacterium acnes
Propionibacterium is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped genus of bacteria named for their unique metabolism: They are able to synthesize propionic acid by using unusual transcarboxylase enzymes.
Contents
Its members are primarily facultative parasites and commensals of humans and other animals, living in and around the sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and other areas of the skin. They are virtually ubiquitous and do not cause problems for most people, but propionibacteria have been implicated in acne and other skin conditions. One study found the Propionibacterium was the most prevalent human skin-associated genus of microorganisms.
Members of the genus Propionibacterium are widely used in the production of vitamin B12, tetrapyrrole compounds, and propionic acid, as well as in the probiotics and cheese industries.
The strain Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii is used in cheesemaking to create CO2 bubbles that become "eyes"—round holes in the cheese.