No abstract

Identification of bacteria that produce carbohydrolytic enzymes is extremely important given the increased demand for these enzymes in many industries. Twenty lignocellulose-degrading bacterial isolates from Algerian compost and different soils were screened for their potential to produce different enzymes involved in biomass deconstruction. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the isolates belonged to Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Differences among species were reflected both as the presence/absence of enzymes or at the level of enzyme activity. Among the most active species, Bosea sp. FBZP-16 demonstrated cellulolytic activity on both amorphous cellulose (CMC) and complex lignocellulose (wheat straw) and was selected for whole-genomic sequencing. The genome sequencing revealed the presence of a complex enzymatic machinery required for organic matter decomposition. Analysis of the enzyme-encoding genes indicated that multiple genes for endoglucanase, xylanase, β-glucosidase and β-mannosidase are present in the genome with enzyme activities displayed by the bacterium, while other enzymes, such as certain cellobiohydrolases, were not detected at the genomic level. This indicates that a combination of functional screening of bacterial cultures with the use of genome-derived information is important for the prediction of potential enzyme production. These results provide insight into their possible exploitation for the production of fuels and chemicals derived from plant biomass.