It grows under aerobic conditions, is catalase positive and oxidase negative.

Phloroglucinol carboxylic acid is a degradation product excreted by A. calcoaceticus grown on (+)-catechin as the sole source of carbon.

[4] A. calcoaceticus can be used as an alternative to A. baumannii in the laboratory setting.

The interchangeability of the two species stems from their extreme degree of similarity and ability to form the A. calcoaceticus-A.

Other contributing factors include the cost-effective nature of A. calcoaceticus compared to A. baumannii and the ability of A. calcoaceticus to readily uptake DNA.