Diversity and enzymatic potentialities of Bacillus sp. strains isolated from a polluted freshwater ecosystem in Cuba

Abstract

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of Bacillus spp. from polluted freshwater has been poorly addressed. The objective of this research was to determine the diversity and enzymatic potentialities of Bacillus spp. strains isolated from the Almendares River. Bacilli strains from a polluted river were characterized by considering the production of extracellular enzymes using API ZYM. 14 strains were selected and identified using 16S rRNA, gyrB and aroE genes. Genotypic diversity of the Bacillus spp. strains was evaluated using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, the presence of genetic determinants of potential virulence toxins of the Bacillus cereus group and proteinaceous crystal inclusions of Bacillus thuringiensis was determined. 10 strains were identified as B. thuringiensis, two as Bacillus megaterium, one as Bacillus pumilus and one as Bacillus subtilis. Most strains produced proteases, amylases, phosphatases, esterases, aminopeptidases and glucanases, which reflect the abundance of biopolymeric matter in Almendares River. Comparison of the typing results revealed a spatio-temporal distribution among B. thuringiensis strains along the river. The results of the present study highlight the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Bacillus spp. strains from a polluted river, which contributes to the knowledge of genetic diversity of Bacilli from tropical polluted freshwater ecosystems.

A high amylase‐producing bacterial strain exhibiting the phosphorus‐dissolving ability, isolated from freshwater aquaculture pond

“…Extensive studies have found that Bacillus sp. that produces amylase can improve water quality (Gigras, Sahai, & Gupta, 2002; Larrea‐Murrell et al., 2018). It is therefore of value to investigate and isolate amylase‐producing microorganisms from aquaculture water, and better apply them in aquaculture systems.…”

Bioprospecting of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria from Renuka Lake Ecosystems, Lesser Himalayas

“…Freshwater lakes are extremely biodiverse natural water reservoirs, with many important recreational and landscape qualities [17] though freshwater environments have been studied to a lesser extent than marine ones [18]. In aquatic ecosystems, bacteria play an important role in degradation of the organic matter, assimilation of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus which are catalyzed by enzymes produced by microorganisms [19][20][21][22]. Furthermore, bioprospecting microbial diversity of freshwater lakes is important as they are an important source of microbes which produce diverse enzymes of agricultural and industrial importance, various bioactive compounds, etc.…”