Metabolic and genetic diversity of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria isolated from composted municipal sludge on poly-epsilon-caprolactones

Curr Microbiol. 2004 Dec;49(6):407-14. doi: 10.1007/s00284-004-4353-0.

Abstract

Thirty mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria were isolated from thermobiotically digested sewage sludge in culture medium supplemented with poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL). The ability of each purified isolate to degrade PCL and to produce polymer-degrading extracellular enzymes was assessed. Isolates were characterized based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), 16S rDNA sequence-based phylogenetic affiliation and carbohydrate-based nutritional versatility. Mesophilic isolates with ability to degrade PCL were attributed to the genera Acinetobacter, Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. Thermophilic isolates were members of the genus Bacillus. Despite the restricted phylogenetic and genotypic diversity observed for thermophiles, their metabolic versatility and wide range of growth temperatures suggest an important activity of these organisms during the whole composting process.

MeSH terms

  • Caproates / metabolism*
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / classification*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / metabolism
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / classification*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / genetics
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / metabolism
  • Hot Temperature*
  • Lactones / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
  • Sewage / microbiology*
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid

Substances

  • Caproates
  • Lactones
  • Sewage
  • caprolactone