''Turbatrix aceti'' (vinegar eels, vinegar nematode, ''Anguillula aceti'') are free-living

nematode The nematodes ( or ; ; ), roundworms or eelworms constitute the phylum Nematoda. Species in the phylum inhabit a broad range of environments. Most species are free-living, feeding on microorganisms, but many are parasitic. Parasitic worms (h ...

s that feed on a microbial culture called mother of vinegar (used to create

vinegar Vinegar () is an aqueous solution of diluted acetic acid and trace compounds that may include flavorings. Vinegar typically contains from 5% to 18% acetic acid by volume. Usually, the acetic acid is produced by a double fermentation, converting ...

) and may be found in unfiltered vinegar. They were discovered by Pierre Borel in 1656. Their environment makes them exceptionally tolerant of variation in

acidity An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e. hydrogen cation, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid, or forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis acid. The first category of acids are the ...

and

alkalinity Alkalinity (from ) is the capacity of water to resist Freshwater acidification, acidification. It should not be confused with base (chemistry), basicity, which is an absolute measurement on the pH scale. Alkalinity is the strength of a buffer s ...

and they may be able to tolerate a wider range than any other species, being able to survive from pH 1.6 to 11. Vinegar eels are often given to fry (baby

fish A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...

) as a live food, like microworms. Although they are harmless and non- parasitic, leaving eels in

is considered objectionable (for example, in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

they are not permitted in vinegar destined for American consumers). Manufacturers normally filter and

pasteurize In food processing, pasteurization ( also pasteurisation) is a process of food preservation in which packaged foods (e.g., milk and fruit juices) are treated with mild heat, usually to less than , to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life ...

their product prior to bottling, destroying the live bacterial and yeast culture that these nematodes require for sustenance. At high concentration near a boundary, vinegar eels synchronize their undulations, forming a collective wave.

Aging Ageing (or aging in American English) is the process of becoming Old age, older until death. The term refers mainly to humans, many other animals, and fungi; whereas for example, bacteria, perennial plants and some simple animals are potentiall ...

in ''T. aceti'' is associated with a decline in the ability to repair DNA damage, a finding that is consistent with the theory that DNA damage contributes to aging.Gensler HL, Bernstein H. DNA damage as the primary cause of aging. Q Rev Biol. 1981 Sep;56(3):279-303. doi: 10.1086/412317. PMID 7031747

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1368890 Rhabditida Vinegar Nematodes described in 1783