AUTHOR=Narsing Rao Manik Prabhu , Singh Ram Nageena , Sani Rajesh K. , Banerjee Aparna 

TITLE=Genome-based approach to evaluate the metabolic potentials and exopolysaccharides production of Bacillus paralicheniformis CamBx3 isolated from a Chilean hot spring

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1377965

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2024.1377965

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>In the present study, a thermophilic strain designated CamBx3 was isolated from the Campanario hot spring, Chile. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, phylogenomic, and average nucleotide identity analysis the strain CamBx3 was identified as <italic>Bacillus paralicheniformis</italic>. Genome analysis of <italic>B. paralicheniformis</italic> CamBx3 revealed the presence of genes related to heat tolerance, exopolysaccharides (EPS), dissimilatory nitrate reduction, and assimilatory sulfate reduction. The pangenome analysis of strain CamBx3 with eight <italic>Bacillus</italic> spp. resulted in 26,562 gene clusters, 7,002 shell genes, and 19,484 cloud genes. The EPS produced by <italic>B. paralicheniformis</italic> CamBx3 was extracted, partially purified, and evaluated for its functional activities. <italic>B. paralicheniformis</italic> CamBx3 EPS with concentration 5 mg mL<sup>−1</sup> showed an optimum 92 mM ferrous equivalent FRAP activity, while the same concentration showed a maximum 91% of Fe<sup>2+</sup> chelating activity. <italic>B. paralicheniformis</italic> CamBx3 EPS (0.2 mg mL<sup>−1</sup>) demonstrated <italic>β</italic>-glucosidase inhibition. The EPS formed a viscoelastic gel at 45°C with a maximum instantaneous viscosity of 315 Pa.s at acidic pH 5. The present study suggests that <italic>B. paralicheniformis</italic> CamBx3 could be a valuable resource for biopolymers and bioactive molecules for industrial applications.</p>