The classification is based on the production of a water-soluble brown pigment, formation of unusual metabolites, requirements for growth factors and ability to grow on ethanol, methanol, acetate, amino acids production of H2S and ubiquinone type. Acetobacter aceti is strictly aerobic using for the breakdown of sugars the hexose monophosphate pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. It oxidises directly sugars, alcohols and steroids. It can grow on ethanol and acetate as sole source of carbon, but not methanol.
Some strains require growth factors.
It performs ketogenesis from glycerol. The strains can contain up to eight plasmids varying in size from 1 to 17 MDa. Genetic transformations have been described. There are none known to be produced. They are generally found as spoilage organisms in alcoholic beverages.