Syntrophomonas zehnderi is a bacterium. It is anaerobic, syntrophic (in association with methanogens, particularly Methanobacterium formicicum) and fattyâÂÂacidâÂÂoxidizing. The type strain is OLâÂÂ4<sup>T</sup> (=DSMà17840<sup>T</sup>à=JCMà13948<sup>T</sup>). Cells are slightly curved, nonâÂÂmotile rods.
S. zehnderi thrives near 37 degrees C and relies on hydrogen-foraging methanogens to break down C4--C18 fatty acids into acetate, propionate, and methane.
Seeding oleate-fed digesters with S. zehnderi shortens its ignition times and boosts methane production, which is regarded as a sustainable and therefore valuable biofuel.