The genome also encodes for a number of proteins capable of breaking down sugars, but it lacks the machinery to transport and use all the products except for those derived from cellulose.
[1] Phylogenetic studies based RpoC and Gyrase B protein sequences, indicate that Fibrobacter succinogenes is closely related to the species from the phyla Bacteroidetes and Chlorobi.
[5] Fibrobacter succinogenes and the species from these two other phyla also branch in the same position based upon conserved signature indels in a number of important proteins.
[6] Lastly and most importantly, comparative genomic studies have identified two conserved signature indels (a 5-7 amino acid insert in the RpoC protein and a 13-16 amino acid insertion in serine hydroxymethyltransferase) and one signature protein (PG00081) that are uniquely shared by Fibrobacter succinogenes and all of the species from Bacteroidetes and Chlorobi phyla.
Fibrobacter succinogenes forms characteristic grooves in crystalline cellulose, and is readily detached from its substrate during sample preparation.
[8] Beta glucans are the substrate of choice in the rumen and the products after digestion include formate, acetate, and succinate.
Saccharification is a pre-treatment that creates viable sugars for fermentation and is the bottlenecking step due to being expensive and energy intensive.
Current feedstocks, such as corn grain, can skip this step since they are high in starches and can be readily fermented.