Abstract
Genomic data for psychrophilic bacteria causing blown pack spoilage (BPS) are limited. This study characterizes the genome of a novel Clostridium gasigenes strain CGAS001 isolated from meat juice sample (MJS) of vacuum-packed lamb meat by comparing it with the type strain C. gasigenes DSM 12272 and five strains representing four other BPS-causing Clostridium sensu stricto species. Phenotypic characteristics of the strain, which include biochemical characteristics, antimicrobial resistance and production of putative polyketide, have been determined. The size of its draft genome is 4.1 Mb with 3,845 coding sequences, 28.7% GC content and 95 RNA genes that include 75 tRNAs, 17 rRNAs, and 3 ncRNAs. Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA Hybridization (dDDH) predict that C. gasigenes CGAS001 and DSM 12272 constitute a single species (ANI and dDDH = 98.3% for speciation) but two distinct subspecies (dDDH = 73.3% for subspeciation). The genome is characterized by saccharolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic genes as well as hemolysins and phospholipases, which are consistent with its phenotype. The genome also reveals the ability of C. gasigenes to synthesize polyketides which is demonstrated by the antimicrobial activity of a crude polyketide extract against Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus devriesei. The strain is resistant to polymyxin B and streptomycin. The genetic and phenotypic analyses suggest that CGAS001 constitutes a novel subspecies of C. gasigenes adapted to a saprophytic lifestyle and can synthesize narrow spectrum antimicrobial compounds.
Highlights
Clostridium gasigenes is a psychrophilic anaerobic Gram-stain-positive bacterium and a member of Clostridium sensu stricto, which causes a type of meat spoilage commonly referred to as blown pack spoilage (BPS) (Broda et al, 2000)
The positive sample (ID = 1399/12) was meat juice samples (MJS) from vacuum packed lamb meat imported to Switzerland from New Zealand
The present study characterized the genome of a novel C. gasigenes strain CGAS001 isolated from meat juice sample of vacuum-packed lamb meat imported to Switzerland from New Zealand by comparing it with the type strain C. gasigenes 12272 and five other clostridia strains from four BPS-causing Clostridium sensu stricto species namely; C. algidicarnis B3, C. estertheticum subsp. estertheticum DSM 8809, C. estertheticum subsp. laramiense DSM 14864, C. frigidicarnis DSM 12271 and C. tagluense A121
Summary
Clostridium gasigenes is a psychrophilic anaerobic Gram-stain-positive bacterium and a member of Clostridium sensu stricto, which causes a type of meat spoilage commonly referred to as blown pack spoilage (BPS) (Broda et al, 2000). C. gasigenes would not persist on meat surfaces in aerobic conditions in the vegetative state, it is likely its spores are the major contaminants of meat within the slaughterhouses. Within these premises, the main reservoirs for C. gasigenes have been suggested to include soil, hides and feces (Broda et al, 2002, 2009). Vacuum packing and cold storage provide conditions that are necessary for spore germination and BPS (Wambui and Stephan, 2019). No other data are available in regards to C. gasigenes spore characteristics, including resistance mechanisms or germinants (Adam et al, 2010)
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