Isolation of an antifungal Paenibacillus strain HT16 from locusts and purification of its medium-dependent antagonistic component

Aims:  To isolate an antagonist for use in the biological control of the phytopathogenic fungus Penicillium expansum and purify the antifungal component produced by the antagonist.
Methods and Results:  An antifungal strain HT16 was isolated from locusts, showing strong inhibition to Pen. expansum . Based on its in vitro effectiveness, HT16 was characterized as a strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa by phenotypic tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. It was found that the antifungal component HT16 secreted was only induced by Poria cocos sclerotium (PCS), and it remained active after sterilization at 121°C for 15 min. The protein was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, heating process, and ultrafiltration using a 10 kDa cut-off membrane. The molecular weight of the purified antifungal protein, which was determined by mass spectrometry, was 4517 Da.
Conclusions:  A novel bacterial strain HT16 antagonistic to Pen. expansum was isolated from locusts and identified as Pae. polymyxa . The antifungal protein of 4517 Da was purified, and its production needed the inducer PCS in the fermentation medium.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The antagonistic protein from Pae. polymyxa showed strong antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungus Pen. expansum . This strain HT16 and the antifungal metabolite are therefore strong candidates for the biocontrol of phytopathogens in agriculture.     

Enhanced biofilm formation and 3-chlorobenzoate degrading activity by the bacterial consortium of Burkholderia sp. NK8 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Aims:  To characterize biofilm formation of a chlorobenzoates (CBs) degrading bacterium, Burkholderia sp. NK8, with another bacterial species, and the biodegradation activity against CBs in the mixed-species biofilm.
Methods and Results:  Burkholderia sp. NK8 was solely or co-cultured with each of five other representative bacteria in microtitre dishes. Biofilm formation involving the strain NK8 was synergistically promoted by co-culturing with only Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Epifluorescent microscopy revealed that cells of the bacterial strain NK8 were viable and distributed randomly in the mixed-species biofilms. Enumeration of the attached cells on the surface of wells revealed that cells of the strain NK8 increased approx. 10-fold by the co-culture with the strain PAO1 compared to those by monoculture of the strain NK8, and the degradation activity of 3-chlorobenzoate by the dual-species biofilms was more promoted than that by the strain NK8-monocultured biofilms.
Conclusions:  Enhanced biofilm formation of Burkholderia sp. NK8 by the bacterial consortium occurred, but is determined by the partner bacterial species. The mixed-species biofilms have the advantage to degrade CBs on a solid surface.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study provides a significance of bacterial consortia on the biofilm formation and the degradation activity of Burkholderia sp. NK8, which contribute for complete degradation of chlorinated aromatics.     

Mycofumigation with Oxyporus latemarginatus EF069 for control of postharvest apple decay and Rhizoctonia root rot on moth orchid

Aims:  To characterize the volatile antifungal compound produced by Oxyporus latemarginatus EF069 and to examine in vitro and in vivo fumigation activity of the fungus.
Methods and Results:  An antifungal volatile-producing strain, O. latemarginatus EF069 inhibited the mycelial growth of Alternaria alternata , Botrytis cinerea , Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici , and Rhizoctonia solani by mycofumigation. An antifungal volatile compound was isolated from the hexane extract of wheat bran–rice hull cultures of O. latemarginatus EF069 by repeated silica gel column chromatography and identified as 5-pentyl-2-furaldehyde (PTF). The purified PTF inhibited mycelial growth of R . solani in a dose-dependent manner. The mycofumigation with solid cultures of EF069 also reduced effectively the development of postharvest apple decay caused by B. cinerea and Rhizoctonia root rot of moth orchid caused by R. solani .
Conclusions:  Oxyporus latemarginatus EF069 showed in vitro and in vivo fumigation activity against plant pathogenic fungi by producing 5-pentyl-2-furaldehyde.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Oxyporus latemarginatus EF069 producing an antifungal volatile compound may be used as a biofumigant for the control of fungal plant diseases.     

In vitro antibacterial activity and antifungal mode of action of flocculosin, a membrane-active cellobiose lipid

Aims:  To investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity and antifungal mode of action of flocculosin, a cellobiose lipid produced by Pseudozyma flocculosa .
Methods and Results:  When tested against clinical bacterial isolates, the compound was particularly active against Gram-positive bacteria and its effect was not mitigated against isolates known as resistant to other antibiotics. The antifungal activity of flocculosin was found to be rapid and concentration-dependent. At lethal concentrations against Candida albicans , flocculosin caused a rapid leakage of intracellular potassium and inhibited acidification of the medium by plasma membrane ATPases suggesting a physical rather than a biochemical effect. TEM observations of cells exposed 6 h to flocculosin revealed disrupted membranes and disorganized mitochondria.
Conclusions:  Data obtained in this study confirm that flocculosin acts by disrupting the membrane surface of sensitive micro-organisms.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The elucidation of an antifungal mode of action of flocculosin can be exploited in furthering its antimicrobial potential against fungi and bacteria whose cell membranes are particularly sensitive to the action of the molecule.     

Production and purification of agarase from a marine agarolytic bacterium Agarivorans sp. HZ105

Aims:  Isolation and characterization of an agarase-producing bacterium Agarivorans sp. HZ105.
Methods and Results:  An agarase-producing bacterium strain HZ105 had been isolated from marine sediment sample. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence and phenotypic analysis, as well as biochemical analyses, this strain was named Agarivorans sp. HZ105. Effect of pH, NaCl on the growth and agarase production of strain HZ105 was studied. Strain HZ105 produced three extracellular agarases which were purified to homogeneity from bands in the PAGE gel. Two agarases of these three had a molecular mass of 54, 58 kDa, respectively. And the MS and MS/MS spectra were used to identify the agarases.
Conclusions:  The MS spectra result showed that the agarases of strain HZ105 should be beta-agarase and belong to the family 50 of glycosyl hydrolases. The agarases could keep stable activity at room temperature.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The strain HZ105 was useful to produce stable agarases. The solution produced by agar's degradation in the agar plates was first reported to be used for purification of agarase. Agarases were purified to homogeneity directly from the PAGE gel without stained by Coomassie brilliant blue.     

Antifungal peptidic compound from the deep-sea bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aneurinibacillus</Emphasis> sp. YR247

Aneurinibacillus: sp. YR247 was newly isolated from the deep-sea sediment inside the Calyptogena community at a depth of 1171 m in Sagami Bay. The strain exhibited antifungal activity against the filamentous fungus Aspergillus brasiliensis NBRC9455. A crude extract prepared from the YR247 cells by ethanol extraction exhibited broad antimicrobial activities. The antifungal compound is stable at 4–70?°C and pH 2.0–12.0. After treatment with proteinase K, the antifungal activity was not detected, indicating that the antifungal compound of strain YR247 is a peptidic compound. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of the purified antifungal compound indicated that the peptidic compound has an average molecular weight of 1167.9. The molecular weight of the antifungal compound from strain YR247 is different from those of antimicrobial peptides produced by the related Aneurinibacillus and Bacillus bacteria. The antifungal peptidic compound from the deep-sea bacterium Aneurinibacillus sp. YR247 may be useful as a biocontrol agent.     

Mass spectrometry identification of antifungal lipopeptides from Bacillus sp. BCLRB2 against Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

This work aims to characterize the bioactive molecules produced by an antagonistic Bacillus sp. strain BCLRB2 isolated from healthy leaves of olive tree against Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The bacterial strain isolated showed a high and persistent antifungal activity against the two pathogens. The free-cell supernatant showed also a high antifungal activity against R. solani and at a lower extent against S. sclerotiorum. The partial purification of the antifungal substances with methanol gradient applied to C18 column binding the Bacillus BCLRB2 culture supernatant showed that the 20% and 60% methanol fractions had a high and specific activity against S. sclerotiorum and R. solani, respectively. The mass spectrometry identification of the compounds in the fraction specifically active against S. sclerotiorum revealed the presence of bacillomycin D C16 as a major lipopeptide. The fraction specifically active against R. solani contained bacillomycin D C15 and 2 unknown lipopeptides. The 80% methanol fraction had a moderate and a broad spectrum activity against the two pathogens and consisted from two iturin D (C13 and C14) as a major lipopeptides.     

Screening method to identify inhibitors of siderophore biosynthesis in the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus

Aims:  Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of airborne mould infections in immunocompromised patients worldwide. Our aim was to develop a method to identify agents that inhibit siderophore biosynthesis because this pathway is unique to the fungus and is essential for virulence.
Methods and Results:  A high-throughput two-step screening assay was developed using 96-well plates in which fungal growth and siderophore production is assessed spectrophotometrically. If a compound inhibits growth only in iron-limited medium (screen 1), its effect on siderophore production is then determined (screen 2). The proof of concept was demonstrated using a known antifungal agent, amphotericin B, and a strain of A. fumigatus deficient in siderophore production.
Conclusions:  The two-stage screening method clearly identified growth defects in A. fumigatus related specifically to siderophore biosynthesis.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The increasing incidence of life-threatening fungal infections has produced an urgent need for novel antifungal agents. The method described in this report will facilitate the identification of novel antifungal compounds that inhibit a pathway critical for A. fumigatus virulence and have a reduced probability of affecting host metabolism.     

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction of Bacillus vallismortis BIT-33 metabolites on colon cancer carcinoma cells

Aims:  The objective of this research was to isolate and identify a cytotoxic marine bacterium, BIT-33, and to investigate the apoptosis effects of its metabolite on colon cancer cells.
Method and Results:  We isolated 93 marine bacteria from seawater samples. Of these, strain BIT-33 exhibited the strongest cytotoxic activity on three colon cancer cells (HT-29, SW480 and HCT116). Biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequencing of this strain allowed us to identify BIT-33 as a strain of Bacillus vallismortis . The cytotoxic compound from B. vallismortis BIT-33 was purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Direct cytotoxic effect of the compound was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. The compound induced apoptosis of colon cancer cells, as indicated by DNA fragmentation of agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometric analysis (sub-G₁ method) and annexin V staining.
Conclusion:  The cytotoxic compound from B. vallismortis BIT-33 was purified, and the compound showed direct cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on colon cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Taken together, our results suggest that the compound from B. vallismortis BIT-33 could be a candidate for the development of apoptosis-specific anti-tumour agents. This study indicated that marine bacteria could be an important source of cytotoxic metabolites.     

Trichophyton species susceptibility to green and red propolis from Brazil

Aims:  The in vitro antifungal activity of Brazilian green and red propolis was tested against different species of Trichophyton .
Methods and Results:  The antifungal activity of the Brazilian aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the green propolis and the alcoholic extract of red propolis was observed against Trichophyton rubrum , Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton mentagrohytes samples, using as controls itraconazole and terbinafine. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined following the microdilution method indicated by the 'Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute'. The minimal fungicide concentration was determined by the absence of growth in liquid sabouraud culture medium. The data obtained showed that the green propolis alcoholic extract's antifungal activity was from 64 to 1024 μg ml⁻¹, whereas the red propolis alcoholic extract was from 8 to 1024 μg ml⁻¹.
Conclusions:  The antifungal activity of the red propolis alcoholic extract was more efficient than the green propolis alcoholic extract for all three species studied. The T. rubrum samples were shown to be more sensitive to the antifungal activity of the alcoholic extracts of the propolis.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The antifungal potential of the alcoholic extracts of green and red propolis demonstrated suggest an applicable potential as an alternative treatment for dermatophytosis caused by these species.     

小麦赤霉病原菌拮抗菌Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 7M1产抗菌素的研究

【目的】从小麦根际土壤分离鉴定一株赤霉病拮抗菌,对该菌产的抗菌素进行生物学性质研究、种类鉴定和抑菌实验。【方法】利用牛津杯法和光照培养箱实验对其抑菌活性进行测定,通过16S r RNA基因序列分析对目标菌株的种属进行初步鉴定,根据抗菌素相关基因进行PCR扩增和测序,利用在线软件Pro Param tool和TMHMM对编码蛋白进行生物信息学分析。【结果】7M1菌体和抗菌素对禾谷镰刀菌的抑菌圈直径分别为16.33±0.13 mm和15.43±0.21 mm,16S r RNA基因序列分析结果显示其为芽孢杆菌,并与解淀粉芽孢杆菌具有较近的亲缘关系,菌株7M1抗菌素对小麦赤霉病的温室防治效果为76.41%,而且热稳定性好,可被蛋白酶K、胰蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶降解,在p H 5.0-10.0有较好的抑菌活性,但是紫外线辐射会降低其抑菌活性。菌株7M1含有bac AB、itu C、bam D 3种基因,通过与Gen Bank中相关的抗菌素基因进行比对,发现其编码的氨基酸序列与Gen Bank库中的芽孢杆菌溶素、伊枯草菌素和杆菌抗霉素D等抗菌素的相似性达到99%。bac AB编码蛋白和itu C编码蛋白是稳定蛋白,bam D编码蛋白是不稳定蛋白,此外,3种基因的编码产物不具有明显的跨膜结构。【结论】从该菌发酵液提取的抗菌素有很好的抗禾谷镰刀菌活性而且性质稳定,因而在小麦赤霉病的生物防治中具有潜在的应用价值。     

Screening the Fusarium graminearum inhibitory mutant strain from Bacillus subtilis by atmospheric-pressure plasma jet

Aims:  The aim of this study was to improve the antagonistic activity of Bacillus subtilis JA towards Fusarium graminearum by screening high-yielding mutant using the atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ).
Methods and Results:  Atmospheric-pressure plasma jet was applied as mutagenic source for breeding high-yielding mutant strain. Helium was used as APPJ operating gas. The mutation effects of different treatment times of APPJ were studied. The mutant strain designated as B. subtilis B06 was successfully screened out, which showed higher antagonistic activity against F. graminearum in vitro . Its inhibition zone against the indicator fungus increased by 23% compared to the original one. HPLC and ESI (electrospray ionization) mass spectrometry analysis indicated that antifungal compounds produced by the mutant and original strain belonged to the lipopeptide, surfactin and iturin families. The mutant strain showed favourable properties of faster growth in the fermentation process and higher production of antibiotics. The lipopeptide production of the mutant was 2·3-fold as that of the original strain.
Conclusions:  A mutant strain with strong antagonistic activity and high yielding of antibiotics was obtained by APPJ in this study. The mutant could be used as a promising biocontrol agent in agriculture.
Significance and Impact of Study:  This study provides a novel mutagenic source for breeding high-yielding microbial mutant, which would be very useful in the application of some valuable metabolites from micro-organism.     

Characterization of an Helicobacter pylori environmental strain

Aims:  To investigate the main genotypic virulence markers and the phenotypic features of an environmental Helicobacter pylori strain, named MDC1.
Methods and Results:  The H. pylori MDC1 genotypic status was evaluated by PCR amplification. The mosaicism in vac A alleles was expressed by the s1m1 allelic combination, as found in strains which are strong vacuolating cytotoxin producers; the number of cag A variable EPIYA motifs displayed P1P2P3P3 pattern and the ice A1 was recorded between the ice A allelic types and the bab A2 gene found in strains causing more severe disease. The biofilm formation was evaluated on a polystyrene surface in static conditions by scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy. Helicobacter pylori MDC1 displayed a dense mature biofilm with cells in a coccoid morphology persistent in time in which the expression of the lux S gene, related to the quorum-sensing signalling, was always detected.
Conclusions:  Helicobacter pylori MDC1 strain had the main virulence markers closely related to gastric pathogenesis and displayed a well-structured biofilm which allowed this bacterium to be more protected in the environment.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The persistence of the environmental virulent H. pylori strain in a clustered state suggests a long-term survival of this bacterial community outside of the host, enabling the bacterial transmission with important clinical repercussions.     

Isolation and characterization of Halomonas sp. strain C2SS100, a hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium under hypersaline conditions

Aims:  To isolate and characterize an efficient hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium under hypersaline conditions, from a Tunisian off-shore oil field.
Methods and Results:  Production water collected from 'Sercina' petroleum reservoir, located near the Kerkennah island, Tunisia, was used for the screening of halotolerant or halophilic bacteria able to degrade crude oil. Bacterial strain C2SS100 was isolated after enrichment on crude oil, in the presence of 100 g l⁻¹ NaCl and at 37°C. This strain was aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, oxidase + and catalase +. Phenotypic characters and phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene of the isolate C2SS100 showed that it was related to members of the Halomonas genus. The degradation of several compounds present in crude oil was confirmed by GC–MS analysis. The use of refined petroleum products such as diesel fuel and lubricating oil as sole carbon source, under the same conditions of temperature and salinity, showed that significant amounts of these heterogenic compounds could be degraded. Strain C2SS100 was able to degrade hexadecane (C₁₆). During growth on hexadecane, cells surface hydrophobicity and emulsifying activity increased indicating the production of biosurfactant by strain C2SS100.
Conclusions:  A halotolerant bacterial strain Halomonas sp. C2SS100 was isolated from production water of an oil field, after enrichment on crude oil. This strain is able to degrade hydrocarbons efficiently. The mode of hydrocarbon uptake is realized by the production of a biosurfactant which enhances the solubility of hydrocarbons and renders them more accessible for biodegradation.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The biodegradation potential of the Halomonas sp. strain C2SS100 gives it an advantage for possibly application on bioremediation of water, hydrocarbon-contaminated sites under high-salinity level.     

In vitro studies of anticandidal activity of goniothalamin enantiomers

Aims:  The antifungal activity of ( R )-goniothalamin ( 1 ) and ( S )-goniothalamin ( ent - 1 ) was evaluated against six Candida species. The in vitro effect of these compounds on yeast adhesion to human buccal epithelial cells (BEC) and Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis biofilms progression were also investigated.
Methods and Results:  Yeast susceptibility was evaluated by broth microdilution assay and showed that ent - 1 exhibited higher potency against all fungal clinical isolated when compared to compound 1 . Compounds 1 and ent - 1 were as potent as fluconazole in inhibiting the adhesion of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis to BEC. XTT-reducing assay and scanning electron microscopy revealed that 1 and ent - 1 were twice as potent as fluconazole in the inhibition of yeast biofilms progression.
Conclusions:  Our findings indicate that compounds 1 and ent - 1 are potent anticandidal agents.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study highlights goniothalamin enantiomers as promising lead compounds for the design of new antifungal with inhibitory activity on yeast adhesion and biofilm progression.     

Characterization of a novel thermophilic, cellulose-degrading bacterium Paenibacillus sp. strain B39

Aims:  The aims of this study were to identify and characterize the novel thermophilic, cellulose-degrading bacterium Paenibacillus sp. strain B39.
Methods and Results:  Strain B39 was closely related to Paenibacillus cookii in 16S rRNA gene sequence. Nonetheless, this isolate can be identified as a novel Paenibacillus sp. with respect to its physiological characteristics, biochemical reactions, and profiles of fatty acid compositions. A cellulase with both CMCase and avicelase activities was secreted from strain B39 and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. By sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, the molecular weight of B39 cellulase was determined as 148 kDa, which was much higher than other cellulases currently reported from Paenibacillus species. The enzyme showed a maximum CMCase activity at 60°C and pH 6·5. Addition of 1 mmol l⁻¹ of Ca²⁺ markedly enhanced both CMCase and avicelase activities of the enzyme.
Conclusions:  We have identified and characterized a novel thermophilic Paenibacillus sp. strain B39 which produced a high-molecular weight cellulase with both CMCase and avicelase activities.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Based on the ability to hydrolyse CMC and avicel, the cellulase produced by Paenibacillus sp. strain B39 would have potential applications in cellulose biodegradation.     

Bacteria in oral secretions of an endophytic insect inhibit antagonistic fungi

Abstract.  1. Colonisation of host trees by an endophytic herbivore, the spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis , is accompanied by invasion of its galleries by a number of fungal species. Four of these associated species were identified as Leptographium abietinum , Aspergillus fumigatus , Aspergillus nomius , and Trichoderma harzianum .
2.  Trichoderma and Aspergillus significantly reduced spruce beetle survival and reproduction in controlled assays.
3. A previously undescribed behaviour was observed, in which spruce beetle adults exuded oral secretions, especially within fungus-pervaded galleries.
4. These oral secretions inhibited the growth of fungi except A. nomius , and disrupted the morphology of the latter. Administration of these secretions indicated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect.
5. Oral secretions cultured on microbiological media yielded substantial bacterial growth.
6. Filter-sterilised secretions failed to inhibit fungal growth, evidence that the bacteria are responsible for the antifungal activity.
7. Nine bacterial isolates belonging to the Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Gammaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria taxa were obtained from the secretions.
8. Bacterial isolates showed species-specific inhibitory activity against the four fungi antagonistic to spruce beetle. The bacterium with the strongest fungal inhibition activity was the actinomycete Micrococcus luteus .
9. The production of bark beetle secretions containing bacteria that inhibit fungal growth is a novel finding. This suggests an additional level of complexity to ecological associations among bark beetles, conifers, and microorganisms, and an important adaptation for colonising subcortical tissue.     

Bacillomycin D: an iturin with antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus

AIMS: In a search for an antifungal peptide with a high activity against Aspergillus flavus, Bacillus subtilis AU195 was selected from a collection of isolates with antagonistic activity against A. flavus. METHODS AND RESULTS: To identify the antifungal peptides, a protein purification scheme was developed based on the detection of the antifungal activity in purified fractions against A. flavus. Two lipopeptides were purified with anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Their masses were determined to be 1045 and 1059 m/z with mass spectrometry, and their peptide moiety was identical to bacillomycin D. CONCLUSION: AU195 synthesized a mixture of two antifungal bacillomycin D analogues with masses of 1045 and 1059, the 14 mass unit difference representing the difference between a C15 and a C16 lipid chain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Both bacillomycin D analogues were active at the same concentration against A. flavus, but the different lipid chain length apparently affected the activity of the lipopeptide against other fungi.     

Engineered marine Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125: a promising micro-organism for the bioremediation of aromatic compounds

Aims:  The recombinant Antarctic Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 ( P. haloplanktis TAC/ tou ) expressing toluene- o- xylene monooxygenase (ToMO) can efficiently convert several aromatic compounds into their corresponding catechols in a broad range of temperature. When the genome of P. haloplanktis TAC125 was analysed in silico , the presence of a DNA sequence coding for a putative laccase-like protein was revealed. It is well known that bacterial laccases are able to oxidize dioxygenated aromatic compounds such as catechols.
Methods and Results:  We analysed the catabolic features, conferred by recombinant ToMO activity and the endogenous laccase enzymatic activity, of P. haloplanktis TAC/ tou engineered strain and its ability to grow on aromatic compounds as sole carbon and energy sources.
Conclusions:  Results presented highlight the broad potentiality of P. haloplanktis TAC/ tou cells expressing recombinant ToMO in bioremediation and suggest the use of this engineered Antarctic bacterium in the bioremediation of chemically contaminated marine environments and/or cold effluents.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This paper demonstrates the possibility to confer new and specific degradative capabilities to a bacterium isolated from an unpolluted environment (Antarctic seawater) transforming it into a bacterium able to grow on phenol as sole carbon and energy source.