Genus Planococcus Research Articles

Planococcus shenhongbingii sp. nov., Planococcus shixiaomingii sp. nov. and Planococcus liqunii sp. nov., isolated from soil of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Six novel bacterial strains, designated N016T, N017, N022T, N028, N056T, and N064, were isolated from soil sampled on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Cells were aerobic, orange or yellow, globular or rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, Gram-stain-positive, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. All the isolates were salt-tolerant and could grow in the range of 4-42 °C. Results of phylogenomic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and core genomic genes showed that the three pairs of strains (N016T/N017, N022T/N028, and N056T/N064) were closely related to the members of the genus Planococcus, and clustered with Planococcus ruber, Planococcus glaciei, and Planococcus chinensis. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values of the six novel strains with other members of the genus Planococcus were within the ranges of 18.7-53 % and 70.58-93.49 %, respectively, all below the respective recommended thresholds of 70.0 % and 95-96 %. The genomic DNA G+C content of the six strains ranged from 43.5 to 46.0 mol%. The major fatty acids of the six strains were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, and C16 : 1 ω7c alcohol. The predominant polar lipids of strains N016T, N022T, and N056T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Menaquinones 7 and 8 were the respiratory quinones. The results of the above analyses indicated that the six strains represent three novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the names Planococcus shenhongbingii sp. nov. (type strain N016T=GDMCC 1.4062T=JCM 36224T), Planococcus shixiaomingii sp. nov. (type strain N022T=GDMCC 1.4063T=JCM 36225T), and Planococcus liqunii sp. nov. (type strain N056T=GDMCC 1.4064T=JCM 36226T) are proposed.

Planococcus notacanthi sp. nov., isolated from the skin of a deep-sea snub-nosed spiny eel.

A novel bacterial strain, APC 4016T, was previously isolated from the skin of a snub-nosed spiny eel, Notacanthus chemnitzii, from a depth of 1000 m in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Cells were aerobic, cocci, motile, Gram-positive to Gram-variable staining, and gave rise to orange-pigmented colonies. Growth occurred at 4-40 °C (optimum, 25-28 °C), pH 5.5-12 (optimum, pH 7-7.5), and 0-12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %). 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis confirmed that strain APC 4016T belonged to the genus Planococcus and was most closely related to Planococcus okeanokoites IFO 12536T (98.98 % 16S similarity). However, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between these two strains were low, at 20.1 and 83.8 %, respectively. Major (>10 %) cellular fatty acids of strain APC 4016T were iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1-ω-Alc. The predominant respiratory quinones were menaquinones 5, 6, 7 and 8. The major cellular polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, and three unknown lipids were also present. The draft genome sequence is 3.6 Mb with a G+C content of 45.25 mol%. This strain was previously shown to have antimicrobial activity and to encode bacteriocin and secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and its distinct phenotypic characteristics, strain APC 4016T is deemed to represent a novel species of the genus Planococcus, and for which the name Planococcus notacanthi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this species is APC 4016T (=DSM 115753T=NCIMB 15463T).

A study of the mealybug genus Planococcus Ferris, 1950 from China, with description of a new species (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae).

A study of the mealybug genus Planococcus Ferris, 1950 (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) known from China is presented and 12 species are recognised. Of these, Planococcuscamelliae Zhang, sp. nov. is described as new to science based on the morphology of the adult female, and P.bambusifolii (Takahashi, 1951) is recorded from China for the first time. Molecular analyses based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of the new species and a key to species of the genus Planococcus in China are also given.

Two novel Planococcus species isolated from baijiu pit mud with potential application in brewing.

Two novel Gram-positive bacteria, designated strains REN8T and REN14T, were isolated from baijiu pit mud in Sichuan Province, China. REN8T achieved the best growth at 37°C, a pH of 8.0, and a NaCl concentration of 2%, while REN14T displayed optimal growth at 37°C, a pH of 6.0, and a NaCl concentration of 1%. 16S rRNA and genomic phylogenetic analysis showed that REN8T and REN14T were clustered with the genus Planococcus. The genomic DNA G + C contents of REN8T and REN14T were 46.7 and 45.1 mol%, respectively. The dDDH and ANI values were 24.5 and 80.43% between REN8T and P. salinarum (the most closely related type strain) and 25.1 and 82.42% between REN14T and P. soli (the most closely related type strain). Genomic analysis showed that several carbohydrate-active enzymes and secondary metabolite gene clusters existed in REN8T and REN14T. Chemotaxonomic characteristics of REN8T and REN14T included major fatty acids, predominant menaquinones, and polar lipids, all of which were consistent with the genus Planococcus. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic method, these two strains represent two novel species of the genus Planococcus; the name Planococcus beigongshangi sp. nov. is proposed for the type strain REN8T (=JCM 33964T = GDMCC 1.2213T), and the name Planococcus beijingensis sp. nov. is proposed for the type strain REN14T (=JCM 34410T = GDMCC 1.2209T). The addition of REN8T and REN14T might improve the quality of huangjiu by considerably increasing the amino acid nitrogen content and acidity and decreasing the bioamine content, with no significant change in alcohol content.

Novel β-Carotene and Astaxanthin-Producing Marine Planococcus sp.: Insights into Carotenogenesis Regulation and Genetic Aspects.

Astaxanthin and β-carotene are the most prominent carotenoids extensively used in pharmaceutics. Here, we present a halotolerant bacterium from Lake Wadi El-Natrun capable of producing astaxanthin and β-carotene analyzed by HPLC, ESI-MS, and infrared spectroscopy. The phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses classified the isolate as a novel strain of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus sp. Eg-Natrun is proposed. Carotenoid biosynthesis can exceptionally occur in a light-inducible or constitutive manner. The maximum carotenoid yields were 610 ± 13µg/g (~ 38% β-carotene and ~ 21% astaxanthin) in a minimal medium with acetate and 1024 ± 53µg/g dry cells in a rich marine medium. The carotenogenesis incentives (e.g., acetate) and disincentives (e.g., methomyl) were discussed. Moreover, we successfully isolated the CrtE gene, one of the astaxanthin biosynthesis genes, from the unknown genome using a consensus-based degenerate PCR approach. To our knowledge, this is the first report elucidating astaxanthin and β-carotene in the genus Planococcus.

Structure and biosynthesis of carotenoids produced by a novel Planococcus sp. isolated from South Africa

BackgroundThe genus Planococcus is comprised of halophilic bacteria generally reported for the production of carotenoid pigments and biosurfactants. In previous work, we showed that the culturing of the orange-pigmented Planococcus sp. CP5-4 isolate increased the evaporation rate of industrial wastewater brine effluent, which we attributed to the orange pigment. This demonstrated the potential application of this bacterium for industrial brine effluent management in evaporation ponds for inland desalination plants. Here we identified a C30-carotenoid biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for pigment biosynthesis in Planococcus sp. CP5-4 through isolation of mutants and genome sequencing. We further compare the core genes of the carotenoid biosynthetic gene clusters identified from different Planococcus species’ genomes which grouped into gene cluster families containing BGCs linked to different carotenoid product chemotypes. Lastly, LC–MS analysis of saponified and unsaponified pigment extracts obtained from cultures of Planococcus sp. CP5-4, revealed the structure of the main (predominant) glucosylated C30-carotenoid fatty acid ester produced by Planococcus sp. CP5-4.ResultsGenome sequence comparisons of isolated mutant strains of Planococcus sp. CP5-4 showed deletions of 146 Kb and 3 Kb for the non-pigmented and “yellow” mutants respectively. Eight candidate genes, likely responsible for C30-carotenoid biosynthesis, were identified on the wild-type genome region corresponding to the deleted segment in the non-pigmented mutant. Six of the eight candidate genes formed a biosynthetic gene cluster. A truncation of crtP was responsible for the “yellow” mutant phenotype. Genome annotation revealed that the genes encoded 4,4′-diapolycopene oxygenase (CrtNb), 4,4′- diapolycopen-4-al dehydrogenase (CrtNc), 4,4′-diapophytoene desaturase (CrtN), 4,4′- diaponeurosporene oxygenase (CrtP), glycerol acyltransferase (Agpat), family 2 glucosyl transferase 2 (Gtf2), phytoene/squalene synthase (CrtM), and cytochrome P450 hydroxylase enzymes. Carotenoid analysis showed that a glucosylated C30-carotenoid fatty acid ester, methyl 5-(6-C17:3)-glucosyl-5, 6′-dihydro-apo-4, 4′-lycopenoate was the main carotenoid compound produced by Planococcus sp. CP5-4.ConclusionWe identified and characterized the carotenoid biosynthetic gene cluster and the C30-carotenoid compound produced by Planococcus sp. CP5-4. Mass-spectrometry guided analysis of the saponified and unsaponified pigment extracts showed that methyl 5-glucosyl-5, 6-dihydro-apo-4, 4′-lycopenoate esterified to heptadecatrienoic acid (C17:3). Furthermore, through phylogenetic analysis of the core carotenoid BGCs of Planococcus species we show that various C30-carotenoid product chemotypes, apart from methyl 5-glucosyl-5, 6-dihydro-apo-4, 4′-lycopenoate and 5-glucosyl-4, 4-diaponeurosporen-4′-ol-4-oic acid, may be produced that could offer opportunities for a variety of applications.

Isolation, characterization and degradation performance of oxytetracycline degrading bacterium Planococcus sp. strain pw2.

Oxytetracycline (OTC), is a widely used veterinary antibiotic for treatment and prophylaxis in aquaculture. As an emerging pollutant, OTC in the environment exerts selective pressure on aquatic organisms causing proliferation of antibiotic resistant genes. In the present study, an OTC tolerant isolate labelled as pw2 was selected among the 11 OTC tolerant isolates, isolated from the aquaculture effluent, for investigating its OTC degrading potential. The cell morphology, biochemical characteristics, and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence of the isolated strain indicated that it belonged to the genus Planococcus. The OTC removal percentage was estimated through measuring its residual concentration in the culture medium with high performance liquid chromatography. The strain exhibited maximum removal efficiency of 90.62%, with initial OTC concentration of 10µg/ml. The optimum degrading conditions were 35°C and pH 7. The degradation rate of OTC with (biotic) and without strain pw2 (abiotic) was 3.253 and 1.149mg/l/d, respectively. The half-life was recorded to be 2.13 d in the presence of strain pw2, in contrast to 6.03days recorded without strain pw2. The total (biotic + abiotic) OTC degradation efficiency was 75.74, 83.93, 90.62, and 86.47% for the initial OTC concentrations of 1 to 25µg/ml, respectively. Addition of carbon and nitrogen did not influence the OTC removal which indicates Planococcus sp. pw2 use OTC as sole energy source. Thus, Planococcus sp. pw2 plays a vital role in reducing the OTC concentration in the environment, offering a promising method for treatment of aquaculture effluent containing OTC.

Using algae bacteria consortia to effectively treat coking wastewater: Performance, microbial community, and mechanism

Coking wastewater is widely generated and poses a significant threat to the environment. Adopting algae bacteria consortia is promising and viable for coking wastewater treatment. In this study, the performance of activated sludge, non-aerated and aerated algae-bacteria consortia (ABC) for treating coking wastewater was investigated and compared. Aerated ABC showed maximum 87.16 ± 1.12% COD removal rates while non-aerated ABC could remove 78.62 ± 0.56% COD. TIN removal rates of aerated ABC and non-aerated ABC were 72.50 ± 0.78% and 80.99 ± 1.26%, respectively. Algae addition could increase the removal performance due to the material exchange between algae and bacteria. Aerated ABC had a larger particle size (119–225 μm) and good settling performance. Genus Comamonas, nitrogen removal bacteria, was predominant in two ABC reactors (average 62% and 60%, respectively) treating low coking wastewater. By comparison, genus Planococcus, denitrifying bacteria, became predominant in aerated algae-bacteria with a higher concentration of coking wastewater. Both genus Comamonas and Planococcus were detected with the benzene ring cleavage reaction function genes. The nitrogen removal pathway showed that nitrogen was removed by ammonia detoxification and nitrate dissimilation. The findings of this study would contribute to the application of ABC in coking wastewater treatment with reduce aeration energy input.

Whole genome sequencing and comparative genomic analyses of Planococcus alpniumensis MSAK28401T, a new species isolated from Antarctic krill

BackgroundExtremophiles have attracted much attention in the last few decades, as they possess different properties by producing certain useful metabolites. However, the secondary metabolism of the extremophiles of Antarctic krill has received little attention.ResultsIn this study, a new bacterial strain MSAK28401T from Antarctic krill was isolated and identified. The results of analysis on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic characteristics showed that the strain MSAK28401T belongs to the genus Planococcus. Cells of this strain were coccoid (0.89–1.05 μm) and aerobic. The majority of the fatty acid content was C15:0 anteiso (37.67 ± 0.90%) followed by C16:1 ω7c alcohol (10.37 ± 1.22%) and C16:0 iso (9.36 ± 0.71%). The calculated average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA hybridization values between the strain MSAK28401T and type strains P. citreus DSM 20549T and P. rifietoensis M8T were lower than 91 and 70%, respectively. The strain MSAK28401T (=KCTC 43283T and MCCC 1k05448T) represented a new member of the genus Planococcus and was named P. alpniumensis sp. nov. Moreover, genes involved in the degradation of aromatic compounds (e.g., salicylate, gentisate, and quinate) were found in the genome, implying that strain MSAK28401T has an aromatic compound as its potential metabolite. This work will help us understand the genomic characteristics and potential metabolic pathway of Planococcus from Antarctic krill.ConclusionsThis study reported the genomic information and phenotypic characteristics of the new strain P. alpniumensis MSAK28401T isolated from Antarctic krill, and provided the genome information of Planococcus strains for further studying the function roles in aromatic compound metabolism.

Heterologous production of novel and rare C30-carotenoids using Planococcus carotenoid biosynthesis genes

BackgroundMembers of the genus Planococcus have been revealed to utilize and degrade solvents such as aromatic hydrocarbons and alkanes, and likely to acquire tolerance to solvents. A yellow marine bacterium Planococcus maritimus strain iso-3 was isolated from an intertidal sediment that looked industrially polluted, from the Clyde estuary in the UK. This bacterium was found to produce a yellow acyclic carotenoid with a basic carbon 30 (C30) structure, which was determined to be methyl 5-glucosyl-5,6-dihydro-4,4′-diapolycopenoate. In the present study, we tried to isolate and identify genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis from this marine bacterium, and to produce novel or rare C30-carotenoids with anti-oxidative activity in Escherichia coli by combinations of the isolated genes.ResultsA carotenoid biosynthesis gene cluster was found out through sequence analysis of the P. maritimus genomic DNA. This cluster consisted of seven carotenoid biosynthesis candidate genes (orf1–7). Then, we isolated the individual genes and analyzed the functions of these genes by expressing them in E. coli. The results indicated that orf2 and orf1 encoded 4,4′-diapophytoene synthase (CrtM) and 4,4′-diapophytoene desaturase (CrtNa), respectively. Furthermore, orf4 and orf5 were revealed to code for hydroxydiaponeurosporene desaturase (CrtNb) and glucosyltransferase (GT), respectively. By utilizing these carotenoid biosynthesis genes, we produced five intermediate C30-carotenoids. Their structural determination showed that two of them were novel compounds, 5-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-4,4′-diaponeurosporene and 5-glucosyl-5,6-dihydro-4,4′-diapolycopene, and that one rare carotenoid 5-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-4,4′-diapolycopene is included there. Moderate singlet oxygen-quenching activities were observed in the five C30-carotenoids including the two novel and one rare compounds.ConclusionsThe carotenoid biosynthesis genes from P. maritimus strain iso-3, were isolated and functionally identified. Furthermore, we were able to produce two novel and one rare C30-carotenoids in E. coli, followed by positive evaluations of their singlet oxygen-quenching activities.

Planococcus soli sp. nov., isolated from antarctic soil.

A novel bacterial strain, designated C23T, was isolated from a soil sample obtained from King George Island, Antarctica. Phenotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses were performed on the new isolate. Strain C23T formed orange colonies on agar plates and was Gram-stain-positive. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain C23T was a member of the genus Planococcus and was closely related to Planococcus salinarum DSM 23802T (98.5% sequence similarity), Planococcus halotolerans SCU63T (98.3%), Planomicrobium okeanokoites IFO 12526T (98.3%), Planococcus donghaensis DSM 22276T (98.3%) and Planococcus maitriensisi S1T (98.2%). This organism grew at 2-38°C (optimum, 25-30°C), pH 6.0-12.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 0-14% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2%). The predominant menaquinone was MK-8. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C14:0 and C16:1 ω7c alcohol. The whole genome DNA of C23T was deposited in the GenBank database under accession number WXYN00000000. According to the whole genome, the DNA G + C content of strain C23T was determined to be 46.8mol%; the average nucleotide identity (ANI) of strain C23T and P. salinarum DSM 23802T, P. halotolerans SCU63T, P. okeanokoites IFO 12526T, P. donghaensis DSM 22276T and P. maitriensis S1T were 74.1%, 74.3%, 74.1%, 78.8 and 73.6%; the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain C23T and the five closely related species were 19.7%, 19.6%, 19.5%, 22.4 and 18.6%; the average amino acid identity (AAI) values between strain C23T and the five closely related species were 73.9%, 74.5%, 74.4%, 84.6 and 74.5%. All data were below the threshold range for species determination. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic study, we considered that strain C23T represented a novel species of the genus Planococcus for which the name Planococcus soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C23T (= KCTC 33644T = CGMCC 1.15115T).

Fatigue of anammox consortia under long-term 1,4-dioxane exposure and recovery potential: N-kinetics and microbial dynamics

Long-term exposure of anammox process to 1,4-dioxane was investigated using periodic anammox baffled reactor (PABR) under different 1,4-dioxane concentrations. The results generally indicated that PABR (composed of 4 compartments) has robust resistance to 10 mg-dioxane/L. The 1st compartment acted as a shield to protect subsequent compartments from 1,4-dioxane toxicity through secretion of high extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of 152.9 mg/gVSS at 10 mg-dioxane/L. However, increasing 1,4-dioxane to 50 mg/L significantly inhibited anammox bacteria; e.g., ~ 93% of total nitrogen removal was lost within 14 days. The inhibition of anammox process at this dosage was most likely due to bacterial cell lysis, resulting in the decrease of EPS secretion and specific anammox activity (SAA) to 105.9 mg/gVSS and 0.04 mg N/gVSS/h, respectively, in the 1st compartment. However, anammox bacteria were successfully self-recovered within 41 days after the cease of 1,4-dioxane exposure. The identification of microbial compositions further emphasized the negative impacts of 1,4-dioxane on abundance of C. Brocadia among samples. Furthermore, the development of genus Planococcus in the 1st compartment, where removal of 1,4-dioxane was consistently observed, highlights its potential role as anoxic 1,4-dioxane degrader. Overall, long-term exposure to 1,4-dioxane should be controlled not exceeding 10 mg/L for a successful application.

Planococcus Species – An Imminent Resource to Explore Biosurfactant and Bioactive Metabolites for Industrial Applications

The marine environment represents a well-off and diverse group of microbes, which offers an enormous natural bioactive compounds of commercial importance. These natural products have expanded rigorous awareness due to their widespread stability and functionality under harsh environmental conditions. The genus Planococcus is a halophilic bacterium known for the production of diverse secondary metabolites such as 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1, 2)-β-d-fructofuranose exhibiting stabilizing effect and methyl glucosyl-3,4-dehydro-apo-8-lycopenoate displaying antioxidant activity. The genus Planococcus is reported generally for hydrocarbon degradation in comparison with biosurfactant/bioemulsifier secretion. Although Planococcus was proposed in 1894, it seized long stretch (till 1970) to get accommodated under the genus Planococcus authentically. Large-scale biosurfactant production from Planococcus was reported in 2014 with partial characterization. For the first time in 2019, we documented genomic and functional analysis of Planococcus sp. along with the physico-chemical properties of its biosurfactant. In 2020, again we screened biosurfactant for pharmacological applications. The present review discusses the comprehensive genomic insights and physical properties of Planococcus-derived biosurfactant. Moreover, we also highlight the prospects and challenges in biosurfactant production from Planococcus sp. Among ∼102 reports on biosurfactant produced by marine bacteria, 43 were of glycolipid and 59 were non-glycolipid type. Under other biosurfactant type, they were identified as lipopeptide (20) like surfactin (5), glycolipoprotein/lipoprotein (12), and other non-glycolipid (22). Planococcus sp. generally produces glycolipid-type biosurfactant (4) and exopolysaccharides (2). The single report documented in the literature is on biosurfactant production (glycolipid +non glycolipid) by diverse marine microbes (39) suggesting their novelty and diversity for biosurfactant secretion.

Characteristics of Planococcus antioxidans sp. nov., an antioxidant-producing strain isolated from the desert soil in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Strain Y74T was an isolate from the sandy soil in the town of Huatugou, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. An analysis of this strain's phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic characteristics established the relationship of the isolate with the genus Planococcus. Strain Y74T was able to grow between 4 and 42°C (with an optimum temperature of 28°C) at pH values of 6–8.5 and in 0%–7% (w/v) NaCl. The dominant quinones were MK‐8 and MK‐7. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown phospholipid. The majority of the fatty acid content was anteiso‐C15:0 (28.8%) followed by C16:1 ω7c alcohol (20.9%) and iso‐C14:0 (13.4%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis demonstrated a stable branch formed by strain Y74T and Planococcus halotolerans SCU63T (99.66%). The digital DNA–DNA hybridization between these two strains was 57.2%. The G + C content in the DNA of Y74T was 44.5 mol%. In addition, the morphological, physiological, and chemotaxonomic pattern clearly differentiated the isolates from their known relatives. In conclusion, the strain Y74T (=JCM 32826T = CICC24461T) represents a novel member of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus antioxidans sp. nov. is proposed. Strain Y74T was found to have potent antioxidant activity via its hydrogen peroxide tolerance and its 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity. The DPPH radical‐scavenging activity was determined to be 40.2 ± 0.7%. The genomic analysis indicated that six peroxidases genes, one superoxide dismutase gene, and one dprA (DNA‐protecting protein) are present in the genome of Y74T.

Identification and characterization of psychrotrophic strain of Planococcus maritimus for glucosylated C30 carotenoid production

Cold-adapted bacteria produce various pigments as their adaptive strategy. Here, we studied an aerobic, gram-positive motile coccoid bacterial strain KK21, isolated from the Siachen, Himalayas and characterized the major pigments present in it. The KK21 strain is capable of growth in a broad range of temperature (-4 to 37°C), pH (6.0-13.0) and salinity (0.5-8%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that it belongs to the genus Planococcus and closely related to P. maritimus. Total pigment extraction was best found in polar methanol. Alanine among amino acids, NaCl among inorganic salts and evening primrose amongst oils best supported the pigment production at 10°C after 6 days in BHI at neutral pH of 7.0. Maximum pigment production was recorded at 3% of NaCl concentration. In photoprotection activity, radiation exposed plates showed increased colony forming units and more than 3.5 times of total carotenoid production after 15 min exposure compared to the control group. Detailed characterization of orange pigment was done systematically by TLC, HPLC and MALDI-TOF. Chromatographic and MALDI-TOF data have revealed the exclusive presence of glycosylated C30-carotenoid in P. maritimus KK21 with m/z of 655.871.

Planococcus lenghuensis sp. nov., an oil-degrading bacterium isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil.

A Gram-staining-positive and aerobic coccus with the ability to degrade petroleum bacterium, designated Y42T, was isolated from the Lenghu oil field located in the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin. Phylogenetic and signature nucleotides analyses revealed that strain Y42T belongs to the genus Planococcus. The multiple sequence alignments of 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes showed that strain Y42T formed a distinct lineage with the other Planococcus clade. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA-DNA hybridization values (DDH) between strain Y42T and the reference strains were 69.5-70.1 and 19.4-21.7%, respectively, which values were below the threshold for species delineation. The major fatty acids of strain Y42T were anteiso-C15:0. The respiratory quinone was MK-7 (71.8%) as the predominant menaquinone followed the MK-6 (28.2%) and the cell-wall hydrolysates contained LL-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid was composed of diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphoglycolipid, aminophospholipid and four unidentified lipids. The peptidoglycan type was A4α (L-Lys-D-Glu). The strain Y42T possessed larger genome (approximately 4MB) and revealed obvious differences for the abundance of the COG categories compared with the other Planococcus bacteria. Also, the strain Y42T also possessed more unique orthologous proteins. The structural characteristics of the strain Y42T genome provided a competitive advantage for better survival in petroleum-polluted environments. Combined with the 16S rRNA gene and genome sequence, phenotypic as well as chemotaxonomic characterisations, strain Y42T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus lenghuensis sp. nov. be proposed. The type strain is Y42T (= CGMCC 1.15921T = JCM 32719T).

Characterization of two potent probiotic strains: Bacillus sp. R2 and Planococcus sp. R11 isolated from the g astrointestinal tract of sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms administrated in aquacultures to control pathogens and enhance feed utilization, survival, and growth rate of farmed fish. This study aimed to get the probiotic bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract which had protease, amylase and lipase activities to improve growth performance of sea bream (Sparus aurata). The most potent selected isolates were identified- using biochemical and molecular sequencing of 16s rRNA gene method- as Bacillus sp. R2 and Planococcus sp. R11 and were characterized to ensure their safety and efficiency. The two bacterial strains were characterized as potential probiotic for hemolytic activity, antibiotic susceptibility, growth pattern, antagonistic activity against fish pathogens, cell surface hydrophobicity and tolerance to acidity and alkalinity. The two strains showed antagonism against the fish pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus isolated from a fish rearing tank. This is the first time to report the probiotic property of genus Planococcus.

Indiicoccus explosivorum gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from an explosives waste contaminated site.

A pink-pigmented, Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, coccoid-shaped bacterial strain, designated as S5-TSA-19T, was isolated from an explosives contaminated site in Panchkula, Haryana, India. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing blast analysis indicated that the strain is a member of the family Planococcaceae with the highest sequence similarity to Planomicrobium soli XN13T (96.1 %), followed by Planococcus maitriensis S1T (95.6 %), Planococcus plakortidis DSM 23997T (95.6 %), Planomicrobium flavidum ISL-41T (95.6 %), Planococcus rifietoensis M8T (95.5 %), Planococcus salinus LCB217T (95.5 %) and Planococcus maritimus DSM 17275T (95.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences (based on a conserved set of 400 proteins) retrieved the strain in a distinct branch indicating a separate lineage within the family Planococcaceae. Strain S5-TSA-19T had a distinctive chemotaxonomic pattern comprising A4α type peptidoglycan based on l-Lys-d-Asp, iso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acid, absence of phosphatidylethanolamine as a major lipid and MK-7 and MK-6 as the major menaquinones, differentiating it from the genera Planococcus and Planomicrobium, thus supporting the findings of molecular phylogeny. Further, strain S5-TSA-19T was able to biotransform hexahydro-1,3,5,-trinitro-1,2,5-triazine (RDX) into nitrite derivatives under aerobic conditions in 2-4 days, whereas the closest reference strains did not possess this property. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic characterization and a phylogenomics approach, strain S5-TSA-19T is proposed as the type strain of a novel species in a novel genus for which the name Indiicoccus explosivorum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed (=JCM 31737T=KCTC 33871T=MTCC 12608T).

Complete genome sequence of Planococcus sp. PAMC21323 isolated from Antarctica and its metabolic potential to detoxify pollutants

The Planococcus sp. PAMC21323 is a yellow pigment-producing bacterium isolated from King George Island in Antarctica; it has a broad growth temperature range of 5–40 °C. Herein, we describe the complete genome sequence information of the genus Planococcus with its annotated sequence, genetic features for bioremediation, and oxidative stress capacity. The Planococcus sp. PAMC21323 possesses chromosomal DNA (3,196,500-bp) with plasmid DNA (3364-bp). The complete 3,199,864-bp of the genome consists of 3171 genes including 60 transfer RNAs and 24 ribosomal RNAs. Strain PAMC21323 encodes various genes associated with detoxification of heavy metal ions and aromatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, it is equipped with diverse stress response systems, which can be used to sense the internal and oxidative stresses caused by detoxification. This is the first report highlighting the genetic potential of Planococcus sp. PAMC21323 in bioremediation, suggesting application of this psychrotrophic strain in bioremediation in harsh environments.

Planococcus halotolerans sp. nov., isolated from a saline soil sample in China.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, coccoid or short rod-shaped, moderate-orange-pigmented, halotolerant and psychrotolerant bacterium, designated strain SCU63T, was isolated from a saline soil sample in China, and characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain SCU63T to species in the genera Planococcus and Planomicrobium ranged from 96.5 to 98.6 %. Phylogenetic trees as well as diagnostic signature nucleotides in the 16S rRNA gene sequence supported the view that this strain should be assigned to the genus Planococcus. Further, average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization analyses confirmed the separate species status of strain SCU63T relative to the closely related taxa. The isolate grew at 0-40 °C (optimum, 30-35 °C), at pH 6.5-9.0 (pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0-15 % (w/v) NaCl (3 %). The principal fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c alcohol, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0, and the dominant isoprenoid quinones were MK-8 and MK-7. The peptidoglycan type was determined to be A4α (l-Lys-d-Glu), and the polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 44.6 mol%. Based on the genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain SCU63T can be classified as a novel species in the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcushalotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCU63T (=CGMCC 1.13628T=KCTC 43001T).