Protaetiibacter mangrovi sp. nov., isolated from mangrove soil

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Taxonomy

Background:

• Mangrove ecosystems harbor diverse microbial communities with potential biotechnological applications.
• The genus Protaetiibacter comprises bacteria isolated from various environments, including clinical and soil samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel actinobacterium from mangrove soil.
• To determine the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of the novel isolate.
• To evaluate the potential antibacterial properties of the isolate.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and cultivation of bacteria from mangrove soil.
• Polyphasic taxonomic characterization including morphological, biochemical, and chemotaxonomic analyses.
• Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and core proteomes.
• Determination of average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values.
• Antibacterial activity assays using ethyl acetate extracts.

Main Results:

• A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, non-flagellated, rod-shaped actinobacterium, strain 10F1B-8-1^T, was isolated.
• Phylogenetic analyses placed strain 10F1B-8-1^T within the genus Protaetiibacter, distinct from known species.
• Low ANI (<84%) and dDDH (<27%) values confirmed its status as a new species.
• The isolate exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli.
• Chemotaxonomic data (diamino acid, fatty acids, menaquinones, polar lipids) were consistent with the genus Protaetiibacter.

Conclusions:

• Strain 10F1B-8-1^T represents a novel species within the genus Protaetiibacter.
• The proposed name for this new species is Protaetiibacter mangrovi sp. nov.
• The discovery of P. mangrovi adds to the known biodiversity of mangrove-associated bacteria and highlights their potential for producing bioactive compounds.