Cellulolytic and proteolytic ability of bacteria isolated from gastrointestinal tract and composting of a hippopotamus

Author(s):Show less -

da Cruz Ramos, Geomarcia Feitosa ^[1] ; Ramos, Patricia Locosque ^[2] ; Zambrano Passarini, Michel Rodrigo ^{[1, 3]} ; Vieira Silveira, Marghuel A. ^[1] ; Okamoto, Debora Noma ^[4] ; Goncalves de Oliveira, Lilian Caroline ^[4] ; Zezzo, Larissa Vieira ^[1] ; Marem, Alyne ^[4] ; Santos Rocha, Rafael Costa ^[4] ; da Cruz, Joao Batista ; Juliano, Luiz ^[4] ; de Vasconcellos, Suzan Pantaroto ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo Zoo Pk Fdn, Av Miguel Estefano 4241, BR-04301905 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Latin Amer Integrat, Latin Amer Inst Life Sci & Nat, Av Tarquinio Joslin Santos 1000, BR-85870901 Foz Do Iguacu, Parana - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Rua 3 Maio, 100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AMB EXPRESS; v. 6, MAR 1 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The bioprospection for cellulase and protease producers is a promise strategy for the discovery of potential biocatalysts for use in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials as well as proteic residues. These enzymes can increment and turn viable the production of second generation ethanol from different and alternative sources. In this context, the goal of this study was the investigation of cellulolytic and proteolytic abilities of bacteria isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a hippopotamus as well as from its composting process. It is important to highlight that hippopotamus gastrointestinal samples were a non-typical sources of efficient hydrolytic bacteria with potential for application in biotechnological industries, like biofuel production. Looking for this, a total of 159 bacteria were isolated, which were submitted to qualitative and quantitative enzymatic assays. Proteolytic analyzes were conducted through the evaluation of fluorescent probes. Qualitative assays for cellulolytic abilities revealed 70 positive hits. After quantitative analyzes, 44 % of these positive hits were selected, but five (5) strains showed cellulolytic activity up to 11,8 FPU/mL. Regarding to proteolytic activities, six (6) strains showed activity above 10 %, which overpassed results described in the literature. Molecular analyzes based on the identification of 16S rDNA, revealed that all the selected bacterial isolates were affiliated to Bacillus genus. In summary, these results strongly indicate that the isolated bacteria from a hippopotamus can be a potential source of interesting biocatalysts with cellulolytic and proteolytic activities, with relevance for industrial applications. (AU)