The key difference between microaerophilic and capnophilic is that microaerophilic microorganisms are microorganisms that grow under minimum levels of oxygen while capnophilic microorganisms are microbes that grow under high concentrations of carbon dioxide.
There are different categories of microorganisms based on their requirement of oxygen and carbon dioxide. These categories of microorganisms are obligate aerobes, obligate anaerobe, facultative anaerobe, aerotolerant, microaerophile, and capnophile. capnophile. Obligate aerobes cannot grow without a sufficient amount of oxygen while obligate anaerobes cannot live in the presence of oxygen. Microaerophilic microbes grow under minimum levels of oxygen while capnophilic microorganisms require a high amount of carbon dioxide to grow.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Microaerophilic
3. What is Capnophilic
4. Similarities Between Microaerophilic and Capnophilic
5. Side by Side Comparison – Microaerophilic vs Capnophilic in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Microaerophilic?
Microaerophilic is a group of microorganisms that needs a minimum level of oxygen to grow. These microorganisms need oxygen, but they tend to die in high concentrations of oxygen. In other words, microaerophiles are poisoned by a high concentration of oxygen. They can grow in increased carbon dioxide conditions as well. Hence, many microaerophiles are capnophiles.
Figure 01: Aerobically Different Bacteria 1. Obligate Aerobic Bacteria, 2. Obligate Anaerobic Bacteria, 3. Facultative Bacteria, 4. Microaerophiles, 5. Aerotolerant Bacteria
Campylobacter jejuni, and Helicobacter pylori are two microaerophilic bacteria. Microaerophilic microbes can be grown in candle jars. In a test tube containing a growth medium, microaerophilic microorganisms tend to gather in the upper part, but not in the surface.
What is Capnophilic?
Capnophilic microorganisms are the microorganisms that need increased concentrations of carbon dioxide to grow. Some capnophilic microorganisms need carbon dioxide for their metabolism while some need these conditions to compete for resources. Moreover, they need approximately 15% oxygen as well. Therefore, many of the microaerophilic microbes are capnophilic too. These microbes can be grown in a candle jar or in carbon dioxide incubator.
Figure 02: Capnophilic Microorganism
Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are two examples of capnophilic bacteria. Some capnophilic bacteria are human pathogens causing intestinal disorders while some capnophiles are normal flora in some ruminants.
What are the Similarities Between Microaerophilic and Capnophilic?
- Microaerophilic and capnophilic microorganisms are two groups based on the oxygen and carbon dioxide requirement.
- Many microaerophiles are also capnophiles requiring a high concentration of carbon dioxide.
- Both types of microorganisms can be cultivated in an oxygen-poor environment, especially in a candle jar.
- They require both oxygen and carbon dioxide to grow.
What is the Difference Between Microaerophilic and Capnophilic?
Microaerophilic microbes require a low amount of oxygen to grow while capnophilic microorganisms require a higher concentration of carbon dioxide to grow. So, this is the key difference between microaerophilic and capnophilic. Also, when compared with the atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations, microaerophiles need a lower level of oxygen than the atmospheric oxygen concentration. Meanwhile, capnophiles need a higher level of carbon dioxide than the atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The following table summarizes the difference between microaerophilic and capnophilic microorganisms.
Summary – Microaerophilic vs Capnophilic
Microaerophilic microorganisms grow under minimum levels of oxygen while capnophilic microorganisms grow under high concentration of carbon dioxide. Thus, this is the key difference between microaerophilic and capnophilic. Many microaerophiles are capnophiles. Microaerophiles need a reduced level of oxygen and an increased level of carbon dioxide to grow. Microaerophiles need a low amount of oxygen than the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere.
Reference:
1. “Capnophile”. En.Wikipedia.Org, 2020, Available here.
2. “Oxygen Requirements For Microbial Growth | Microbiology”. Courses.Lumenlearning.Com, 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Anaerobic” By Pixie – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “ARS Campylobacter jejuni” By De Wood, Pooley, USDA, ARS, EMU. – Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific research agency (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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