Anammox Bacteria

The causative organism, which was responsible for the Anammox reaction was named Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans. This organism is a member of the planctomycetes and therefore lacks peptidoglycan in its cell wall, divides by budding, and has a compartmentalised cytoplasm. Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans is able to anaerobically oxidise ammonium and nitrite to nitrogen gas. The key enzyme involved in this reaction, hydroxylamine oxidoreductase, is located in an organelle-like structure called an anammoxosome. The ability to oxidise ammonium anaerobically makes Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans potentially useful for reducing, or eliminating, ammonium from wastewater.