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Collection, Isolation and Enrichment of Naturally Occurring Magnetotactic Bacteria from the Environment
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Metal Transformation by a Novel Pelosinus Isolate From a Subsurface Environment.
Allison E Ray1,2, Stephanie A Connon1,3, Andrew L Neal4
1Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, United States.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|September 4, 2018
Summary
A novel metal-reducing bacterium, Pelosinus lilae strain UFO1, effectively immobilizes toxic chromium (Cr(VI)). This microbe, isolated from soil, demonstrates rapid Cr(VI) reduction, offering potential for environmental bioremediation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Bioremediation
- Metal Speciation
Background:
- Microbial metal speciation capabilities offer novel environmental toxic metal immobilization strategies.
- Isolation of anaerobic, metal-reducing microbes is crucial for understanding biogeochemical cycles.
- Soil microbial communities harbor diverse metabolic potentials for pollutant degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel metal-reducing microorganism from soil.
- To investigate the metal-transforming capabilities of the isolated microbe, specifically Cr(VI) reduction.
- To determine the phylogenetic and physiological characteristics of the novel isolate.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of anaerobic, metal-reducing bacteria from uncontaminated soil using enrichment cultures.
- Characterization of microbial physiology, including metabolism and Gram staining.
- Assessment of Cr(VI) reduction rates under varying conditions (lactate, AQDS).
- Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization.
Main Results:
- Isolation of "Pelosinus lilae" strain UFO1, an anaerobic, spore-forming, Gram-variable bacterium.
- Demonstrated reduction of Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetic acid and Cr(VI) using lactate and AQDS.
- Rapid and near-complete reduction of Cr(VI) (1-5 ppm) within 2-24 hours.
- Phylogenetic analysis confirmed UFO1 as a novel species within the Pelosinus genus, with 98.16% 16S rRNA gene similarity to P. fermentans.
Conclusions:
- "Pelosinus lilae" strain UFO1 is a novel species with significant Cr(VI) reducing capabilities.
- The microbe's ability to rapidly immobilize toxic chromium highlights its potential for bioremediation.
- This discovery expands our understanding of microbial roles in metal transformation and environmental cleanup.
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