Halophilic microorganisms are able to grow in the presence of salt and are also
excellent source of enzymes and biotechnological products, such as
exopolysaccharides (EPSs) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Salt-tolerant
bacteria were screened in the Organic Composting Production Unit (OCPU) of São
Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, which processes 4 ton/day of organic residues
including plant matter from the Atlantic Rain Forest, animal manure and
carcasses and mud from water treatment. Among the screened microorganisms, eight
halotolerant bacteria grew at NaCl concentrations up to 4 M. These cultures were
classified based on phylogenetic characteristics and comparative partial 16S
rRNA gene sequence analysis as belonging to the genera
Staphylococcus, Bacillus and
Brevibacterium. The results of this study describe the
ability of these halotolerant bacteria to produce some classes of hydrolases,
namely, lipases, proteases, amylases and cellulases, and biopolymers. The strain
characterized as of Brevibacterium avium presented cellulase
and amylase activities up to 4 M NaCl and also produced EPSs and PHAs. These
results indicate the biotechnological potential of certain microorganisms
recovered from the composting process, including halotolerant species, which
have the ability to produce enzymes and biopolymers, offering new perspectives
for environmental and industrial applications.