Nonacetogenic

Though beyound the scope of this chapter, it should be mentioned that nonacetogenic bacteria (e.g., sulfate-reducing bacteria) and members of the domain Archaea (e.g., methanogens) use metabolic pathways that are very similar to the acetyl-CoA pathway for either the assimilation of CO2 (i.e., carbon) into biomass or the oxidation of acetate [64,64]; thus, the acetyl-CoA pathway is not restricted to acetogens and has broad biological significance [49].

Indeed, given the type of microzone in which an acetogen would likely prefer in a habitat like soil, the best nonacetogenic partner would be a microaerophile.

The researchers concluded: "Results in this study suggest that E. coli excretes and scavenges acetate simultaneously in the carbon-limited low growth condition and in nonacetogenic carbon source, and the activity of the acetate consumption pathway directly affects the accumulation level of acetate in the cluture broth."