Eubacterium eligens

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Eubacterium eligens is a type of bacteria that lives in the human gut. It is a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped organism that does not require oxygen to grow (an anaerobe) and prefers body temperature (mesophilic). It was first isolated in 1974 by Holdeman and Moore from human feces. It belongs to the Bacillota phylum (also called Firmicutes), within the Clostridia class and the Eubacterium genus.

This species is notable because, unlike many related bacteria, it can break down pectin, a plant fiber found in fruits and vegetables. In the gut, E. eligens helps produce anti-inflammatory compounds and is being studied for its potential as a probiotic. It ferments carbohydrates and mainly produces acetate and formate as waste products. It can hydrolyze arginine and urea, reduce nitrate, and use tryptophan for energy. Its genome contains about 2,700 genes, and researchers have sequenced its DNA to learn more about its functions.

Growth tends to be best at 37 C and up to 45 C, with no growth below about 30 C. In the lab, colonies are small (about 0.5 to 1 mm), tan and lenticular in shape; under some conditions they appear white, smooth, and non-hemolytic.

There are links between E. eligens and health. Some studies show that higher levels of this bacterium in the gut are associated with lower visceral fat, a reduced risk of Type 1 Diabetes, and better lipid profiles (lower triglycerides and higher HDL cholesterol). These findings, along with its capacity to produce anti-inflammatory compounds, make E. eligens a promising target for probiotic and metabolic health research.

Taxonomically, the genus Eubacterium is diverse and has been considered for reclassification. Some scientists have proposed renaming E. eligens as Lachnospira eligens based on genetic data, but such changes are still being explored.