Genome Sequencing and Analysis of Strains Bacillus sp. AKBS9 and Acinetobacter sp. AKBS16 for Biosurfactant Production and Bioremediation

Abstract

Microbial genomics facilitates the analysis of microbial attributes, which can be applied in bioremediation of pollutants and oil recovery process. The biosurfactants derived from microbes can replace the chemical surfactants, which are ecologically detrimental. The aim of this work was to study the genetic organization responsible for biodegradation of aromatics and biosurfactant production in potential microbes isolated from polluted soil. Bacterial isolates were tested for biosurfactant production, wherein Bacillus sp. AKBS9 and Acinetobacter sp. AKBS16 exhibited highest biosurfactant production potential. Whole genome sequencing and annotations revealed the occurrence of sfp and NPRS gene in the Bacillibactin biosynthetic gene cluster in AKBS9 strain and emulsan biosynthetic gene cluster in AKBS16 strain for biosurfactant production. Various aromatic compound ring cleaving oxygenases scavenging organic molecules could be annotated for strain AKBS16 using RAST annotations.

Keywords: Biosurfactant; Microbial genomics; PCR; Surfactin.