Biodegradation of recalcitrant compounds and phthalates by culturable bacteria isolated from Liometopum apiculatum microbiota

AbstractLiometopum apiculatum is a species of ants widely distributed in arid and semi-arid ecosystems where there is a relative food shortage compared with tropical ecosystems.L. apiculatum has established an ecological balance involving symbiotic interactions, which have allowed them to survive through mechanisms that are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the metabolic potential of isolated bacteria fromL. apiculatum using enzymatic activity assay and substrate assimilation. Results revealed a complex bacteria consortium belonging to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria phylum. Most of the isolated bacteria showed activities associated with biopolymers degradation, from themExiguobacterium andB. simplex showed the highest amylolytic activity (27 U/mg protein), whileA. johnsonii andB. pumulis showed the highest cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities (1 and 2.9 U/mg protein, respectively). By other hand, some microorganisms such asS. ficaria,E. asburiae,P. agglomerans,A. johnsonii,S. rubidaea, S.marcescens,S. warneri, andM. hydrocarbonoxydans were able to grow up to 1000  mg/L of phthalates esters. These results not only revealed the important contribution of the symbionts inL apiculatum ants feeding habits, but also have shown a promising source of enzymes with potential biotechnological applications such as lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis and bioremediation processes.Graphic abstract
Source: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research