Cellulolytic Activity of Thermophilic Bacilli Isolated from Tattapani Hot Spring Sediment in North West Himalayas

Comparative genomic analyses of four novel Ramlibacter species and the cellulose-degrading properties of Ramlibacter cellulosilyticus sp. nov

In this study, four novel bacterial strains, USB13^T, AW1^T, GTP1^T, and HM2^T, were isolated from various environments in Busan and Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the four novel strains belong to the genus Ramlibacter. All four strains were tested for their potential cellulolytic properties, where strain USB13^T was identified as the only novel bacterium and the first within its genus to show cellulolytic activity. When tested, the highest activities of endoglucanase, exoglucanase, β-glucosidase, and filter paper cellulase (FPCase) were 1.91 IU/mL, 1.77 IU/mL, 0.76 IU/mL, and 1.12 IU/mL, respectively at pH 6.0. Comparisons of draft whole genome sequences (WGS) were also made using average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization values, and average amino acid identity values, while whole genome comparison was visualized using the BLAST Ring Image Generator. The G + C contents of the strains ranged from 67.9 to 69.9%, while genome sizes ranged from 4.31 to 6.15 Mbp. Based on polyphasic evidence, the novel strains represent four new species within the genus Ramlibacter, for which the names Ramlibacter cellulosilyticus sp. nov. (type strain, USB13^T = KACC 21656^T = NBRC 114839^T) Ramlibacter aurantiacus sp. nov. (type strain, AW1^T = KACC 21544^T = NBRC 114862^T), Ramlibacter albus sp. nov. (type strain, GTP1^T = KACC 21702^T = NBRC 114488^T), and Ramlibacter pallidus sp. nov. (type strain, HM2^T = KCTC 82557^T = NBRC 114489^T) are proposed.

Indigenous cellulolytic aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial community enhanced the composting of rice straw and chicken manure with biochar addition

Microbial degradation of organic matters is crucial during the composting process. In this study, the enhancement of the composting of rice straw and chicken manure with biochar was evaluated by investigating the indigenous cellulolytic bacterial community structure during the composting process. Compared with control treatment, composting with biochar recorded higher temperature (74 °C), longer thermophilic phase (> 50 °C for 18 days) and reduced carbon (19%) with considerable micro- and macronutrients content. The bacterial community succession showed that composting with biochar was dominated by the cellulolytic Thermobifida and Nocardiopsis genera, which play an important role in lignocellulose degradation. Twenty-three cellulolytic bacterial strains were successfully isolated at different phases of the composting with biochar. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing similarity showed that they were related to Bacilluslicheniformis, Bacillussubtilis,Bacillusaerius, and Bacillushaynesii, which were known as cellulolytic bacteria and generally involved in lignocellulose degradation. Of these isolated bacteria, Bacilluslicheniformis, a facultative anaerobe, was the major bacterial strain isolated and demonstrated higher cellulase activities. The increase in temperature and reduction of carbon during the composting with biochar in this study can thus be attributed to the existence of these cellulolytic bacteria identified.

Tropical Cellulolytic Bacteria: Potential Utilization of Sugarcane Bagasse as Low-Cost Carbon Source in Aquaculture

Sugarcane bagasse (SB), as a major by-product of sugarcane, is one of the most abundant organic matter and characterized by cheap and easily available carbon source in Hainan Island, China. The objective of this study was to isolate tropical cellulolytic bacteria from Hainan Island and demonstrate their prospects of utilization of SB as a low-cost carbon source to greatly reduce the cost of aquaculture. A total of 97 cellulolytic marine bacteria were isolated, of which, 58 cellulolytic marine bacteria displayed the hydrolysis capacity (HC) of more than 1, while 28 cellulolytic marine bacteria displayed more than 2. Of the 28 tropical cellulolytic bacterial strains with HC more than 2, Microbulbifer sp. CFW-C18 and Vibrio sp. MW-M19 exhibited excellent SB decomposition in a small-scale laboratory simulation of shrimp aquaculture, up to 75.31 and 74.35%, respectively, and both of them were safe for shrimps. Meanwhile, both of CFW-C18 and MW-M19 besides displaying low multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index, also increased the C/N ratio (CFW-C18: C/N ratio of 14.34; MW-M19: C/N ratio of 14.75) of the small-scale laboratory simulation of shrimp aquaculture by decreasing the nitrogen content after a supplement of SB for 15 days. More importantly, CFW-C18 and MW-M19 displayed a relatively low MAR index, 0.47 and 0.1, respectively, especially MW-M19, with the lowest MAR index (0.1), which was resistant to only three antibiotics, streptomycin, amikacin, and levofloxacin, indicating that this strain was safe and non-drug resistance for further use. Overall, tropical cellulolytic bacteria isolated from Hainan Island, especially CFW-C18 and MW-M19, will provide the proficient candidates as probiotics for further construction of the recirculating aquaculture system based on the supplement of low-cost external carbon source—SB.

Isolation, Biochemical Characterisation and Identification of Thermotolerant and Cellulolytic Paenibacillus lactis and Bacillus licheniformis

Research background

Cellulose is an ingredient of waste materials that can be converted to other valuable substances. This is possible provided that the polymer molecule is degraded to smaller particles and used as a carbon source by microorganisms. Because of the frequently applied methods of pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials, the cellulases derived from thermophilic microorganisms are particularly desirable.

Experimental approach

We were looking for cellulolytic microorganisms able to grow at 50 °C and we described their morphological features and biochemical characteristics based on carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity and the API® ZYM system. The growth curves during incubation at 50 °C were examined using the BioLector® microbioreactor.

Results and conclusions

Forty bacterial strains were isolated from fermenting hay, geothermal karst spring, hot spring and geothermal pond at 50 °C. The vast majority of the bacteria were Gram-positive and rod-shaped with the maximum growth temperature of at least 50 °C. We also demonstrated a large diversity of biochemical characteristics among the microorganisms. The CMCase activity was confirmed in 27 strains. Hydrolysis capacities were significant in bacterial strains: BBLN1, BSO6, BSO10, BSO13 and BSO14, and reached 2.74, 1.62, 1.30, 1.38 and 8.02 respectively. Rapid and stable growth was observed, among others, for BBLN1, BSO10, BSO13 and BSO14. The strains fulfilled the selection conditions and were identified based on the 16S rDNA sequences. BBLN1, BSO10, BSO13 were classified as Bacillus licheniformis, whereas BSO14 as Paenibacillus lactis.

Novelty and scientific contribution

We described cellulolytic activity and biochemical characteristics of many bacteria isolated from hot environments. We are also the first to report the cellulolytic activity of thermotolerant P. lactis. Described strains can be a source of new thermostable cellulases, which are extremely desirable in various branches of circular bioeconomy.

Geothermal springs in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh: potential sources of hydrolase-producing thermophilic bacilli

In recent years, scientists have increasingly focused on the microbial diversity of high-altitude hot springs to explore the biotechnological applications of extremophiles. In this regard, a total of 107 thermophilic bacilli were isolated from 9 high-altitude mineralized geothermal springs (of temperatures ranging from 27.5 to 70 °C) located within the territory of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The isolated bacilli were phylogenetically profiled and studied for their potential to produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes (protease, amylase, and lipase). The identification of isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed their relationship to members of more than 22 distinct species, of 8 different genera, namely Aeribacillus, Anoxybacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Geobacillus, Parageobacillus, Paenibacillus and Ureibacillus. Bacillus licheniformis, Parageobacillus toebii and Anoxybacillus flavithermus were found to be the most abundant species in the springs that were studied. Some of the isolated bacilli shared less than 91-97% sequence identity with their closest match in GenBank, indicating that Armenian geothermal springs harbor novel bacilli, at least at the species level. 71% of the isolates actively produced at least one or more extracellular proteases, amylases, or lipases. In total, 22 strains (28.6%) were efficient producers of all three types of thermostable enzymes.

Phylogenetic diversity and biotechnological potentials of marine bacteria from continental slope of eastern Arabian Sea

Marine environments are substantially untapped source for the isolation of bacteria with the capacity to produce various extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, which have important ecological roles and promising biotechnological applications. Hydrolases constitute a class of enzymes widely distributed in nature from bacteria to higher eukaryotes. Marine microbial communities are highly diverse and have evolved during extended evolutionary processes of physiological adaptations under the influence of a variety of ecological conditions and selection pressures. A number of marine hydrolases have been described, including amylases, lipases and proteases, which are being used extensively for biotechnological applications. The present study was carried out to isolate marine bacteria from continental slope sediments of the eastern Arabian Sea and explore their biotechnological potential. Among the 119 isolates screened, producers of amylases (15%), caseinases (40%), cellulases (40%), gelatinases (60%), lipases (26%), ligninases (33%), phytase (11%) and Malachite Green dye degraders (16%) were detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that predominant marine sediment bacteria possessing more than four enzymatic activities belonged to the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, was assigned to the genera Bacillus, Planococcus, Staphylococcus, Chryseomicrobium, Exiguobacterium and Halomonas. Biodegradation of the dye Malachite Green using the liquid decolorization assay showed that both the individual cultures (Bacillus vietnamensis, Planococcus maritimus and Bacillus pumilus) and their consortium were able to decolorize more than 70% of dye within 24 h of incubation. This is the first report on diversity and extracellular hydrolytic enzymatic activities and bioremediation properties of bacteria from continental slope sediment of eastern Arabian Sea.

Hot springs of Indian Himalayas: potential sources of microbial diversity and thermostable hydrolytic enzymes

Microbial communities in hot springs at high elevations have been extensively studied worldwide. In this sense, the Indian Himalaya regions is valuable ecosystems for providing both the extreme 'cold' and 'hot' sites for exploring microbial diversity. In the present study, a total of 140 thermophilic bacteria were isolated from 12 samples collected from Manikaran and Yumthang hot springs of Indian Himalayas. The bacterial isolates were studied for phylogenetic profiling, growth properties at varying conditions and potential sources of extracellular thermostable hydrolytic enzymes such as protease, amylase, xylanase and cellulase. Based on production of extracellular hydrolases, 51 isolates from Manikaran (28) and Yumthang thermal springs (23) were selected and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing which included 37 distinct species of 14 different genera namely Anoxybacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Brevundimonas, Burkholderia, Geobacillus, Paenibacillus, Planococcus, Pseudomonas, Rhodanobacter, Thermoactinomyces, Thermobacillus, Thermonema and Thiobacillus. Out of 51 hydrolase producing bacteria, 24 isolates showed stability at wide range of temperature and pH treatments. In present investigation, three thermotolerant bacteria namely, Thermobacillus sp NBM6, Paenibacillus ehimensis NBM24 and Paenibacillus popilliae NBM68 were found to produced cellulase-free xylanase. These potential extracellular thermostable hydrolytic enzymes producing thermophilic bacteria have a great commercial prospect in various industrial, medical and agriculture applications.

Bacillus coagulans MA-13: a promising thermophilic and cellulolytic strain for the production of lactic acid from lignocellulosic hydrolysate

BACKGROUND

The transition from a petroleum-based economy towards more sustainable bioprocesses for the production of fuels and chemicals (circular economy) is necessary to alleviate the impact of anthropic activities on the global ecosystem. Lignocellulosic biomass-derived sugars are suitable alternative feedstocks that can be fermented or biochemically converted to value-added products. An example is lactic acid, which is an essential chemical for the production of polylactic acid, a biodegradable bioplastic. However, lactic acid is still mainly produced by Lactobacillus species via fermentation of starch-containing materials, the use of which competes with the supply of food and feed.

RESULTS

A thermophilic and cellulolytic lactic acid producer was isolated from bean processing waste and was identified as a new strain of Bacillus coagulans, named MA-13. This bacterium fermented lignocellulose-derived sugars to lactic acid at 55 °C and pH 5.5. Moreover, it was found to be a robust strain able to tolerate high concentrations of hydrolysate obtained from wheat straw pre-treated by acid-catalysed (pre-)hydrolysis and steam explosion, especially when cultivated in controlled bioreactor conditions. Indeed, unlike what was observed in microscale cultivations (complete growth inhibition at hydrolysate concentrations above 50%), B. coagulans MA-13 was able to grow and ferment in 95% hydrolysate-containing bioreactor fermentations. This bacterium was also found to secrete soluble thermophilic cellulases, which could be produced at low temperature (37 °C), still retaining an optimal operational activity at 50 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

The above-mentioned features make B. coagulans MA-13 an appealing starting point for future development of a consolidated bioprocess for production of lactic acid from lignocellulosic biomass, after further strain development by genetic and evolutionary engineering. Its optimal temperature and pH of growth match with the operational conditions of fungal enzymes hitherto employed for the depolymerisation of lignocellulosic biomasses to fermentable sugars. Moreover, the robustness of B. coagulans MA-13 is a desirable trait, given the presence of microbial growth inhibitors in the pre-treated biomass hydrolysate.