Methylococcus capsulatus

Methylococcus capsulatus is an obligately methanotrophic gram-negative, non-motile coccoid bacterium. M. capsulatus cells are encapsulated and tend to have a diplococcoid arrangement. In addition to methane, M. capsulatus is able to oxidize some organic hydrogen containing compounds such as methanol. M. capsulatus has also been demonstrated to be thermotolerant- that is, it can grow well up to 50°C, though its optimum growth temperature is 37°C. In addition, M. capsulatus can live in conditions in which there is little molecular oxygen available.