Characterization of five psychrotolerant Alcanivorax spp. strains isolated from Antarctica

Cappello S.; Corsi I; Patania S.; Bergami E.; Azzaro M.; Mancuso M.; Genovese M.; Lunetta A.; Caruso G.;

Five psychrotolerant Alcanivorax spp. strains were isolated from Antarctic coastal waters. Strains were screened for molecular and physiological properties and analyzed regarding their growth capacity. Partial 16S rDNA, alk-B1 and P450 gene sequencing was performed. Biolog EcoPlates and the API 20E test were used to evaluate metabolic and biochemical profiles. Bacterial growth in so-dium acetate was determined at 4, 15, 20, and 25°C to evaluate the optimal temperature. Fur-thermore, the ability of each strain to grow in a hydrocarbon mixture at 4 and 25°C was assayed. Biosurfactant production tests (drop collapsing and oil spreading) and emulsification activity tests (E24) were also performed. Concerning results of partial gene sequencing (16S rDNA, alk-B1 and P450), a high similarity of the isolates with the same genes isolated from other Alcanivorax spp. strains was observed. The metabolic profiles obtained by Biolog assays showed no significant dif-ferences of the isolates compared to the Alcanivorax borkumensis wild type. The results of biodeg-radative tests showed their capability to grow at different temperatures. All strains showed bio-surfactant production and emulsification activity. Our findings underline the importance to pro-ceed in the isolation and characterization of Antarctic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strains since their biotechnological and environmental applications could be useful even for pollution re-mediation in polar areas.

2023 - Journal article

Microorganisms 11 (2023). doi:10.3390/microorganisms11010058

Keywords: Alcanivorax spp., Antarctica, molecular analyses, biodegradation, physiological analyses

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The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.

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