Actinobacteria

Actinobacteria is a phylum of bacteria that are common in the gastrointestinal tract, and two of their most notable genuses include Bifidobacterium and Collinsella.

Taxonomic Level: Phlyum

Properties: Gram-positive

Additional Information: Actinobacteria are abundant in the human gastrointestinal tract. One notable genus Bifidobacterium is known to have a generally beneficial effect on health. They tend to have a lower abundance in a number of diseases including vitamin K deficiency, atopic diseases, irritable bowel syndrome. They also have been noted at a lower abundance in autism spectrum disorder. Another dominant genus in the Actinobacteria phylum is Collinsella. Collinsella bacteria are capable of fermenting a wide variety of carbohydrates to produce hydrogen gas, ethanol, formate, and lactate (please see the functional analysis section of your report to learn more about the beneficial health implications of lactate). A high abundance of Collinsella has also been found to be associated with plasma cholesterol levels.

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