Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of a Novel Apilactobacillus Species from Giant Honeybee (Apis dorsata) Gut Reveals Occurrence of Genetic Elements Coding Prebiotic and Probiotic Traits

Abstract

Apilactobacillus spp. are classified as obligate fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) that inhabit fructose-rich niches such as honeybee gut. Lactic acid bacteria are an important component of the gut microbiome and play a crucial role in maintaining gut health. In this study, a new FLAB strain HBW1, capable of producing glucan-type exopolysaccharide, was isolated from giant honeybee (Apis dorsata) gut and subjected to whole genome sequencing (WHS) to determine its health-beneficial traits. The genome size of the isolate was 1.49 Mb with a GC content of 37.2%. For species level identity, 16S rDNA sequence similarity, genome to genome distance calculator (dDDH), and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were calculated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate HBW1 belongs to the Apilactobacillus genus. The dDDH and ANI values in comparison with closely clustered Apilactobacillus kunkeei species were 52% and 93.10%, respectively. Based on these values, we concluded that HBW1 is a novel species of Apilactobacillus, and we propose the name Apilactobacillus waqarii HBW1 for it. Further, WHS data mining of HBW1 revealed that it harbors two glucosyltransferase genes for prebiotic glucan-type exopolysaccharide synthesis. Moreover, chaperon (clp) and methionine sulfoxide reductase (msrA, msrB, and msrC) genes as well as nutritional marker genes for folic acid (folD) and riboflavin biosynthesis (rib operon), important for conferring probiotic properties, were also detected. Occurrence of these genetic traits make HBW1 an excellent candidate for application to improve gut function.

Preliminary study of the effects of <i>Apilactobacillus kunkeei</i> EIR/BG-1 and <i>Enterococcus hirae</i> EIR/CM-2 supplementation on<i> in vitro</i> rumen fermentation and microbial population

“…Although not evaluated in this study, Al. kunkeei species is capable of synthesising bioactive molecules with prebiotic properties, such as LPS, as mentioned before (Meng et al, 2018;Ahmad et al, 2022). However, none of the nineteen E. hirae isolates from raw cow's milk were able to produce EPS in a previous study by Espeche et al (2012).…”

“…It has been reported that Apilactobacillus species, mainly Al. kunkeei, harbour genes encoding glucosyltransferases responsible for the synthesis of prebiotic glucan-type EPS (Meng et al, 2018;Ahmad et al, 2022). Therefore, these factors may be involved in the potential mechanism of the stimulatory effects of Al.…”

Unique antimicrobial activity in honey from the Australian honeypot ant (Camponotus inflatus)

“…Other bacterial taxa in the honeypot ant microbiome, although comprising a very small percentage, included several genera identified in the core honey bee microbiome including Gilliamella , Apilactobacillus , and Bombella . These are thought play a role in digestion by secreting substances that aid in the metabolism of certain toxic carbohydrates in the nectar diet ( Ahmad et al, 2022 ; Härer, Hilgarth & Ehrmann, 2022 ; Zheng et al, 2016 ).…”

High-Molecular-Weight Dextran-Type Exopolysaccharide Produced by the Novel Apilactobacillus waqarii Improves Metabolic Syndrome: In Vitro and In Vivo Analyses

“…The dextran type exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesizing isolate Apilactobacillus waqarii (HBWI) used in the present study was isolated from honeybee gut ( Apis dorsata ) previously and reported as a novel species [ 75 ].…”