Harnessing taxonomically diverse and metabolically versatile genus Paracoccus for bioplastic synthesis and xenobiotic biodegradation

Abstract

The genus Paracoccus represents a taxonomically diverse group comprising more than 80 novel species isolated from various pristine and polluted environments. The species are characterized as coccoid‐shaped Gram‐negative bacteria with versatile metabolic attributes and classified as autotrophs, heterotrophs and/or methylotrophs. The present study highlights the up‐to‐date global taxonomic diversity and critically discusses the significance of genome analysis for identifying the genomic determinants related to functional attributes mainly bioplastic synthesis and biodegradation potential that makes these isolates commercially viable. The analysis accentuates polyphasic and genomic attributes of Paracoccus spp. which could be harnessed for commercial applications and emphasizes the need of integrating genome‐based computational analysis for evolutionary species and functional diversification. The work reflects on the underexplored genetic potential for bioplastic synthesis which can be harnessed using advanced genomic methods. It also underlines the degradation potential and possible use of naturally‐occurring pollutant‐degrading Paracoccus isolates for the development of a biodegradation system and efficient removal of contaminants. The work contemplates plausible use of such potent isolates to establish the plant‐microbe interaction, contributing toward contaminated land reclamation. Overall, the work signifies the need and application of genome analysis to identify and explore the prospective potential of Paracoccus spp. for environmental application toward achieving sustainability.

ITS and 16S rRNA Gene Revealed Multitudinous Microbial Contaminations of Residential Air Conditioning Filters in Megacity Shanghai, China

“…These bacterial genera, including Enhydrobacter , Micrococcus , Staphylococcus , Streptococcus , Haemophilus , etc., were often found indoors (Table S3), especially in residential households. Other genera, such as Paracoccus and Corynebacterium , which are prevalent in soil and water and ubiquitous throughout the environment, were also discovered. , These genera may mainly originate from outdoor air. Bacterial phenotypes based on BugBase are mainly associated with aerobic, forming biofilms, and are stress tolerant (Figure ).…”

“…Other genera, such as Paracoccus and Corynebacterium, which are prevalent in soil and water and ubiquitous throughout the environment, were also discovered. 31,32 These genera may mainly originate from outdoor air. Bacterial phenotypes based on BugBase are mainly associated with aerobic, forming biofilms, and are stress tolerant (Figure 2).…”

Turtle species and ecology drive carapace microbiome diversity in three seasonally interconnected wetland habitats

“…These genera included Paracoccus (prokaryote), Opercularia (eukaryote) and Heliophrya (eukaryote). Paracoccus is a diverse taxon described as metabolically flexible, including due to their use of varied electron donors and terminal electron acceptors in aerobic respiration [ 72 ] and capabilities of xenobiotic degradation in some strains [ 73 ]. Opercularia and Heliophrya are known aquatic epibionts commonly found in polluted or high nutrient load environments [ 74, 75 ], and at least Opercularia seems capable of parasitizing host tissues in some cases [ 76 ].…”

Pan-genome analysis of six completeParacoccustype strain genomes from hybrid next generation sequencing

“…The genus Paracoccus is the type genus of the Paracoccaceae (1), formerly member of the Rhodobacteraceae, which is known for a broad spectrum of ecologically relevant metabolic traits and high abundance in many marine environments (2). Paracoccus seems to be a biogeographic cosmopolite due to its distribution all over the world and inhabiting a variety of different ecological niches (2). Nevertheless, despite its wide distribution, their role in the marine biogeochemical cycles and their ability to inhabit a wide variety of different environments remains to be elucidated.…”