16S metagenomic analysis and taxonomic distribution of enriched microbial consortia capable of simultaneous biodegradation of organochlorines by illumina platform

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides are ubiquitous group of recalcitrant molecules that accumulate in food chains and have inherent toxic effects and adverse health effects. To circumvent the problem, microbial communities are found to be promising candidates for degrading the organochlorine pesticide's and removal of residues. In this study, a novel microbial consortium isolated from Yamuna and Godavari rivers capable of simultaneous biodegradation of organochlorine pesticides (DDT and Lindane) was subjected to metagenomic sequencing. This consortia used was enriched by progressively increasing concentrations of Lindane and DDT (organochlorine pesticides) for months till a stable Lindane and DDT tolerant population was established, and found to be degrading mixture of organochlorine pesticides with concentrations up to 30 ppm of DDT and Lindane. Currently, in the realm of our knowledge very few metagenomic analysis were carried out to characterize the consortia and understand the biodiversity of microbial communities in the riverine ecosystems, that was found to be unique and highly effi cient in bio-degradation of organochlorine pesticides. The study concluded biodiversity with a shannon alpha-diversity index of 3.0317 and identifi ed 871 species with Brevundimonas diminuta (previously assigned to the genus Pseudomanas) having abundance ratio of 17.57 % followed by Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila in the mixed consortium and deciphered the systematic and functional contexts within riverine metagenome.