Abstract
Geothermal areas are the niches of a rich microbial diversity that is not only part of the intangible patrimony of a country but also the source of many microbial species with potential biotechnological applications. Particularly, microbial species in geothermal areas in Argentina have been scarcely explored regarding their possible biotechnological uses. The purpose of this work was to explore the proteolytic and keratinolytic enzymatic potential of microorganisms that inhabit in the Domuyo geothermal area in the Neuquén Province. To this end, we did enrichment cultures from two high-temperature natural samples in mineral media only supplemented with whole chicken feathers. After the isolation and the phylogenetic and morphologic characterization of different colonies, we obtained a collection of Bacillus cytotoxicus isolates, a species with no previous report of keratinolytic activity and only reported in rehydrated meals connected with food poisoning outbreaks. Its natural habitat has been unknown up to now. We characterized the proteolytic and keratinolytic capacities of the B. cytotoxicus isolates in different conditions, which proved to be remarkably high compared with those of other similar species. Thus, our work represents the first report of the isolation as well as the keratinolytic capacity characterization of strains of B. cytotixicus obtained from a natural environment.
Highlights
Nowadays, it is fairly known that geothermal environments are the niches of a rich prokaryotic biodiversity, formed by extremophilic, in certain cases novel microorganisms, which can present high biotechnological potential in many fields [1]
In order to further confirm the phylogenetic classification, we amplified the gene that codifies for the cytK-1 gene (426 bp), which has been used in a PCR diagnostic method to detect B. citotoxicus [34,37], with positive results for all the isolates affiliated with B. cytotoxicus (Figure 2)
The original goal of our work was to assess the enzymatic hydrolytic potential, with special emphasis in keratinases, of extremophilic microbial species that inhabit the geothermal areas of Copahue and Dommuyo in the Neuquén Province in Argentina
Summary
It is fairly known that geothermal environments are the niches of a rich prokaryotic biodiversity, formed by extremophilic, in certain cases novel microorganisms, which can present high biotechnological potential in many fields [1]. Patagonia in the southwest of Argentina presents two volcanic geothermal areas—Copahue and Domuyo. The Copahue geothermal area, predominantly acidic, has been extensively studied as for its prokaryotic biodiversity [2,3,4] and the biotechnological applications of some of their species [5,6,7]. The Domuyo geothermal area is located on the northwest of the Neuquén Province, Argentina, about 550 km of the city of Neuquén, the provincial capital. It is on the southwestern slope of Cerro Domuyo (36◦340 S, 70◦250 W), the highest mountain in Patagonia with an elevation of 4709 meters above sea level. The geothermal area presents many surface manifestations, including fumaroles, hot springs, and geysers with neutral pH [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
