Int J Biochem Mol Biol 2012;3(4):352-364
Original Article
Isolation of Paenibacillus sp. and Variovorax sp. strains
from decaying woods and characterization of their
potential for cellulose deconstruction
Silvina Ghio, Gonzalo Sabarís Di Lorenzo, Verónica Lia, Paola Talia, Angel Cataldi, Daniel Grasso,
Eleonora Campos
Instituto de Suelos, CIRN, Inst. Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA); Instituto de Biotecnología, CICVyA,
Inst. Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Dr. N. Repetto y Los Reseros s/n, 1686 Hurlingham, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
Received November 28, 2012; Accepted December 3, 2012; Epub December 24, 2012; Published December 30,
2012
Abstract: Prospection of cellulose-degrading bacteria in natural environments allows the identification of novel cellulases
and hemicellulases that could be useful in second-generation bioethanol production. In this work, cellulolytic
bacteria were isolated from decaying native forest soils by enrichment on cellulose as sole carbon source. There
was a predominance of Gram positive isolates that belonged to the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Many
primary isolates with cellulolytic activity were not pure cultures. From these consortia, isolation of pure constituents
was attempted in order to test the hypothesis whether microbial consortia are needed for full degradation of
complex substrates. Two isolates, CB1-2-A-5 and VG-4-A-2, were obtained as the pure constituents of CB1-2 and
VG-4 consortia, respectively. Based on 16S RNA sequence, they could be classified as Variovorax paradoxus and
Paenibacillus alvei. Noteworthy, only VG-4 consortium showed measurable xylan degrading capacity and signs of
filter paper degradation. However, no xylan or filter paper degrading capacities were observed for the pure cultures
isolated from it, suggesting that other members of this consortium were necessary for these hydrolyzing activities.
Our results indicated that Paenibacillus sp. and Variovorax sp. as well as VG-4 consortium, might be a useful source
of hydrolytic enzymes. Moreover, although Variovorax sp. had been previously identified in metagenomic studies
of cellulolytic communities, this is the first report on the isolation and characterization of this microorganism as a
cellulolytic genus. (IJBMB1211003).
Keywords: Cellulolytic bacteria, variovorax, paenibacillus, soil
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Eleonora Campos
Inst. de Biotecnología, CICVyA
Inst. Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Buenos Aires
Argentina.
Tel: (54 11) 4621-1447 ext 174; Fax: (54 11) 4621-0199;
E-mail: ecampos@cnia.inta.gov.ar;
or: eleonoracampos@yahoo.com
Original Article
Isolation of Paenibacillus sp. and Variovorax sp. strains
from decaying woods and characterization of their
potential for cellulose deconstruction
Silvina Ghio, Gonzalo Sabarís Di Lorenzo, Verónica Lia, Paola Talia, Angel Cataldi, Daniel Grasso,
Eleonora Campos
Instituto de Suelos, CIRN, Inst. Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA); Instituto de Biotecnología, CICVyA,
Inst. Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Dr. N. Repetto y Los Reseros s/n, 1686 Hurlingham, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
Received November 28, 2012; Accepted December 3, 2012; Epub December 24, 2012; Published December 30,
2012
Abstract: Prospection of cellulose-degrading bacteria in natural environments allows the identification of novel cellulases
and hemicellulases that could be useful in second-generation bioethanol production. In this work, cellulolytic
bacteria were isolated from decaying native forest soils by enrichment on cellulose as sole carbon source. There
was a predominance of Gram positive isolates that belonged to the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Many
primary isolates with cellulolytic activity were not pure cultures. From these consortia, isolation of pure constituents
was attempted in order to test the hypothesis whether microbial consortia are needed for full degradation of
complex substrates. Two isolates, CB1-2-A-5 and VG-4-A-2, were obtained as the pure constituents of CB1-2 and
VG-4 consortia, respectively. Based on 16S RNA sequence, they could be classified as Variovorax paradoxus and
Paenibacillus alvei. Noteworthy, only VG-4 consortium showed measurable xylan degrading capacity and signs of
filter paper degradation. However, no xylan or filter paper degrading capacities were observed for the pure cultures
isolated from it, suggesting that other members of this consortium were necessary for these hydrolyzing activities.
Our results indicated that Paenibacillus sp. and Variovorax sp. as well as VG-4 consortium, might be a useful source
of hydrolytic enzymes. Moreover, although Variovorax sp. had been previously identified in metagenomic studies
of cellulolytic communities, this is the first report on the isolation and characterization of this microorganism as a
cellulolytic genus. (IJBMB1211003).
Keywords: Cellulolytic bacteria, variovorax, paenibacillus, soil
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Eleonora Campos
Inst. de Biotecnología, CICVyA
Inst. Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Buenos Aires
Argentina.
Tel: (54 11) 4621-1447 ext 174; Fax: (54 11) 4621-0199;
E-mail: ecampos@cnia.inta.gov.ar;
or: eleonoracampos@yahoo.com
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