Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Producing Bacterial Isolates from Hypersaline Water Body, Atlantic Ocean, Nigeria

Introduction: The importance of polyhydroxylalkanoate (PHA) producing bacteria is hinged on the basis that PHA itself possess environmentally advantages over synthetic plastics therefore, the proper identity of these bacteria is inevitable.

Aim: To determine the bacteria identification methods of phenotypic and genetic identification for marine sourced effective polyhydroxylalkanoate (PHA) production.

Study Design: Randomised design was employed for PHA producing bacterial isolates.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples containing PHA-producing bacteria from the hypersaline water body of Nigerian Southern Atlantic Ocean (6.35ᴼ N 3.28ᴼ E -St1; 6.35ᴼ N 3.40ᴼ E -St2; and 6.36ᴼ N 3.47ᴼ E -St3); water depths (0.07m (top), 50m (middle) and 100m (bottom) were collected and investigated between August, 2016-September, 2019.

Methodology: Bacterial isolates was characterized using standard microbiological and biochemical tests for the phenotypes, and 16S rDNA for the genotypes. Isolates were also screened for PHA potentials using specific primers.

Results: Genetically identified Bacillus cereus strains LB17 and Bacillus paramycoides SA27 were phenotypically identified as Bacillus badius. Similarly, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus JL11, five strains of Alcaligenes faecalis, seven strains of Bacillus spp., Enterobacter cloacae, Falsochrobactrum ovis, Ochrobactrum ciceri, Providencia stuartii including two species of Pseudomonas and Bordetella trematum were all phenotypically identified as Corynebacterium kutsceri. Invariably, Alcaligenes faecalis (strains PSD10 and DEP8), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (H47921) and Vagococcus fluvialis (AWW1) were identified as Staphylococcus species. All 34 bacterial isolates expressed phaC genes for PHA potential, while Alcaligenes faecalis strains and Bacillus humi (NBPP9) expressed phaC1 for short PHA chain.

Conclusion: This study established variations in the genetical identity of Corynebacterium kutsceri, Enterobacter amnigenus, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus varians, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus when compared with the phenotypic identification methods. But, there was synchronization in the genotypic and phenotypic identity of bacillus species. Records of varietal differences of PHA potential were also obtained from same species in this research. It is therefore pertinent to rely on the genetic identification of bacteria for the effective determination of PHA-producing character as displayed in Bacillus spp.