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  • Isolation and Screening of Phb Producing Halotolerant Bacterial Strains from A Saline Environment

    Nabila Fathima S 1   VeenaGayathri Krishnaswamy 1  

    1Department of Biotechnology, Stella Maris College, Chennai-86, Tamilnadu, India

    Abstract

    Plastic materials have been used as packaging materials and also have other numerous applications because of their durability and stability. Plastic products are non degradable and they continue to exist in the environment thereby causing a serious threat to the ecosystem. Bioplastics which are biodegradable plastics are emerging out as a boon to overcome the problem of plastic accumulation. Polyhydroxybutyrate or PHB is a bioplastic that serves as an alternative to synthetic plastics. PHB is a lipid reserve material that gets accumulated within the cell wall of micro organisms under stress conditions. Halophilic microorganisms can be of much use in the production of PHB as it is cost – effective and recovery of PHB is much easier in halotolerant organisms. Hence this study focuses on the isolation of PHB producing halotolerant bacterial organisms from marine sources. Screening of PHB positive isolates was done by Sudan Black B and Nile blue A staining. Large scale production of PHB by the efficient bacterial strain was done by using wastewater as the substrate.

    Author Contributions
    Received 20 Sep 2017; Accepted 13 Oct 2017; Published 01 Nov 2017;

    Academic Editor: Ning Shen, Duke University

    Checked for plagiarism: Yes

    Review by: Single-blind

    Copyright ©  2017 Nabila Fathima S, et al.

    License
    Creative Commons License     This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

    Competing interests

    The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

    Citation:

    Nabila Fathima S, VeenaGayathri Krishnaswamy (2017) Isolation and Screening of Phb Producing Halotolerant Bacterial Strains from A Saline Environment. Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedical Science - 1(1):34-45.

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    DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-17-1783

    Introduction

    Modernization and progress has its share of disadvantages and one of the main aspects of concern is the pollution it is causing to earth1. Plastic materials that have been universally used in our daily lives are now causing serious environmental problems. Millions of tons of these non-degradable plastics accumulate in the environment every year2. It is clear from this figure that the long term deleterious environmental impacts caused by plastics were entirely overlooked and this in turn poses greater difficulties for plastic waste accumulation3. A number of biodegradable thermoplastic polyesters are emerging out as a boon to overcome the problems of plastic waste accumulation. One of these promising materials is poly ((R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB). PHB has been the subject of extensive studies as an environmentally friendly polymeric material4. PHB is a thermoplastic, belonging to the family of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). It is a fully biodegradable polyester with optical activity, piezoelectricity, and very good barrier properties. PHB is a partially crystalline material with high melting temperature and high degree of crystallinity5. PHB is similar to polypropylene with three unique features: thermoplastic processability, 100% resistance to water, and 100% biodegradability6. Microorganisms provide a source of bioplastics and biopolymers (polysaccharides) from renewable sources. Although currently considerably more expensive than plastic derived from petrochemicals, bacteria have proved capable of yielding bioplastics with comparable properties. They have the additional advantage of being biodegradable. When grown under conditions where growth becomes limited through exhaustion of a key nutrient such as nitrogen or phosphorous and carbon substrate remains available, many prokaryotes can synthesize intracellular storage compounds. These act as carbon and energy reserves which can be utilized when balance growth is resumed7. Various bacterial strains capable of producing PHA have been isolated belonging to genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Sphingobacterium, Brochothrix, Caulobacter, Ralstonia, Burkholderia, and Yokenella from oil contaminated sites8. The major problem to the commercialization of PHB is its high production cost compared with conventional petroleum derived materials. In this context, extremophiles, especially halophilic microorganisms, would be an important group to investigate9. There are several advantages to working with haloarchaeal strains rather than eubacteria. Due to the high salt concentrations they require in their growth medium to maintain cell wall stability, haloarchaeal strains do not require strict sterile conditions. Cell walls can also easily lyse in the absence of salt, especially in distilled water; this property enables the recovery of PHB or other PHA forms from extreme halophiles much more easily and economically than from eubacteria10. The first case of PHB accumulation by archaea had been reported in 1970 from Dead Sea named as Halobacterium marismortui analysed by freezefracture technique11. Extremely halophilic archaebacteria (Halobacteriaceae) produce PHB under nutrient-limited conditions and abundant carbon sources12. Haloferax mediterranei, which grows at 25%(w/v) of salt concentration, produces 60 to 65% PHA of its cell dry weight (CDW) when grown in phosphate limiting conditions and glucose or sucrose as best carbon source12. Halomonas boliviensis LC1, a moderate Halophile growing at 3–15% (w/v) of salt concentration, produces higher amount of PHB up to 56% of CDW, when grown on starch hydrolysate as substrate13. Presently, a wastewater treatment system is approved as a cost effective and environmentally friendly approach for PHB production14. Research demonstrated that the accumulation of PHB is accomplished through a feast and famine approach of the substrate (carbon source). Combining wastewater with PHB production can be considered as a sustainable approach when dealing with environmental and economic issues15. Hence the objective of this study is to isolate PHB producing Halotolerant bacterial isolates from saline environment. Primary Screening of the PHB producing bacterial strains was done by Sudan Black B staining. The production of PHB was confirmed by FT - IR analysis and Fluorescence Microscopy. The morphological identification of the bacterial strains was done by SEM analysis and Gram’s staining. Molecular identification of the PHB producing bacterial strains was done by biochemical characterization and 16s rRNA sequencing. Large scale production of PHB was done by batch studies and bioreactor studies by using a 3L fermenter.

    Materials and Methods

    Collection of Soil Samples

    Soil samples were collected from the proximities of VGP Golden Beach and Neelankarai Beach, Chennai. The samples were collected in sterile zip lock covers and were immediately transferred to the laboratory and stored at 4°C.

    Enrichment and Isolation of PHB Producing Bacterial Strains

    1g of soil sample collected was inoculated in Nitrogen-deficient medium without agar16. The samples were then serially diluted in sterile distilled water and inoculated onto the Nitrogen Deficient Agar medium through pour plate technique. The plates were incubated at 37° C for 24 hours. Individual pure culture colonies were picked up from the bacterial consortium and plated on to the Nutrient Deficient Medium and incubated for 24 – 48 hours.

    Screening of PHB Producing Bacterial Strains

    Sudan Black B Staining

    Bacterial smears were made on sterile glass slides, heat fixed and stained with an ethanolic solution of Sudan Black B to visualize the PHB granules. The prepared smears of the cultures were stained for 10 minutes with Sudan Black solution. The slides were then washed with running tap water and air dried. It was then counter stained with 0.5% Safranin for 5 minutes and washed with running water17.

    Fluorescence Microscopy

    The bacterial samples were smeared on glass slides, air dried and heat fixed. The smear was flooded with 1% Nile blue A and heated in a water bath at 55°C for 10 minutes. The stain was washed off with water and 8% aqueous solution of acetic acid for 1 minute. The slide was air dried and observed under a fluorescence microscope at an excitation wavelength of 460 nm18.

    Extraction of PHB

    After 72 hours of incubation at 37°C in Nitrogen Deficient Medium, the culture broth was centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 15 minutes. The pellet along with 10 ml Sodium hypochlorite solution was incubated at 50°C for 1 hour for lyses of cells. The cell extract obtained was centrifuged at 12000 rpm for 30 minutes and then washed sequentially with distilled water, acetone and absolute ethanol. After washing, the pellet was dissolved in 10 ml chloroform and incubated at 50°C overnight and evaporated at room temperature. After evaporation, 10 ml of sulphuric acid was added to it and placed in water bath for 10 minutes at 100°C. This converts the PHB into crotonic acid, which gives maximum absorption at 235 nm using sulphuric acid as blank2.

    Quantification of PHB by Spectrophotometry

    The extracted PHB was quantified by Crotonic acid assay19. Crotonic acid powder was dissolved into 3 ml of sulphuric acid and standard solution of 0.1µg of Crotonic acid/µl of sulphuric acid was prepared. Working standards of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50µg/3ml of sulphuric acid were prepared. Blank was prepared by adding 3 ml of sulphuric acid. The absorbance was measured at 235 nm. Standard graph of concentration v/s absorbance was prepared.

    Analysis of PHB by FT – IR Spectroscopy Method

    FT – IR analysis was carried out in an IR Affinity – 1, Shimadzu in Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai. The spectrophotometer was operated in the range of 4000 – 500 cm-1.

    Characterization and Identification of Bacterial Strains

    SEM Analysis

    The isolated bacterial strains were grown individually on MSM for 24 hours. The bacterial strains in the Mineral Salts Medium were centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 minutes and the pellets were immediately re – suspended in 2% Glutaraldehyde with 0.05 M phosphate buffer and 4% sucrose (pH – 7.3). Fixation was obtained overnight at 4°C. After 24 hours the pellets were centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 minutes, washed 4 times with distilled water and placed on aluminium foil. The samples were then dehydrated with series of gradient ethanol (10%, 20%, 30% till 90%) air dried and finally the dried flakes were analyzed under the Scanning Electron Microscope (FEI Quanta 200 F). The analysis was performed in IIT Madras, Guindy.

    Morphological and Biochemical Characterization of Bacterial Strains

    The bacterial strains were morphologically identified by Gram’s Staining and further characterized by various biochemical tests such as Catalase test, Oxidase test, IMViC tests, Triple Sugar Iron Agar test, Starch Hydrolysis Test and Carbohydrate Fermentation test.

    Molecular Identification of Bacterial Strains

    The isolated bacterial strains were morphologically characterized and identified by DNA isolation, 16s rRNA sequencing and construction of phylogenetic tree.

    Bioreactor Studies to Increase PHB Production by the Efficient Bacterial Strain

    Wastewater Analysis

    To study the production of PHB by fed batch process in wastewater using molasses as a carbon source. The composition of wastewater is given as follows: (mg/l) Glucose – 500, Sodium hydrogen carbonate – 300, Ammonium hydrogen carbonate – 50, Potassium dihydrogen phosphate – 22.5, Magnesium sulphate – 50, Manganese sulphate – 0.03, Zinc sulphate – 0.04, Calcium chloride – 1, Ferric chloride – 0.32 and Yeast extract – 50. Blackstrap molasses was obtained in 500 ml volume from Dhanyam, Chennai.

    Batch Studies on Wastewater Analysis

    In a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask, 100 ml of sterilized wastewater with 4% molasses20 was inoculated with 4% concentration21 of the efficient halotolerant bacterial strain (NFKVG 8). The culture flask was then incubated at 37°C for 3 days at 150 rpm. Protein estimation and PHB production was done from Day 0 to Day 3 and the results were recorded. To further scale up the production of PHB, 250 ml of the sterilized wastewater was taken in a 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask with the same concentration of molasses and inoculum. The culture flasks were incubated in a shaker for 3 days at 150 rpm. Protein estimation and PHB production was done on all the three days and the results were recorded.

    Bioreactor Study for Large Scale Production of PHB

    For the large scale production of PHB, a bench scale bioreactor of 3L capacity was used for the laboratory study on PHB production under saline conditions. The experimental setup was as follows:

    Wastewater – 2.5 litres

    Molasses – 100 ml (4% concentration)

    Broth culture of bacterial strain – 100 ml (4% concentration)

    pH – 7.5 – 8.0

    Temperature - 37°C

    The bench scale reactor was continuously aerated with constant agitation using the agitator provided in the fermeter at 500 rpm. The wastewaster sample from the reactor was analysed for the physico – chemical parameters such as pH, salinity, TDS using an external pH probe, total protein (Bradford’s procedure), chloride, hardness, Dissolved oxygen 22.

    Results and Discussion

    Enrichment and Isolation of Bacterial Strains for PHB Production Under Halotolerant Conditions

    Enrichment of the bacterial cultures was performed in Nitrogen Deficient Medium under halotolerant conditions with 3% NaCl. A total of 16 isolates were obtained, out of which 10 isolates were obtained from VGP soil samples and 6 were obtained from Neelankarai Beach samples. Out of the 16 isolates, 2 bacterial isolates (NFKVG 8 and NFKVG 10) screened positive for PHB production by Sudan Black B staining. Figure 1 shows the enriched NDA plate in 10-7 dilution from which the two PHB producing bacterial isolates under halotolerant conditions were obtained. A wide variety of bacteria are known to accumulate PHB granules intercellularly as an energy reserve material. Microbial species from over 90 genera have been reported to accumulate approximately 150 different hydroxyalkanoates as polyesters granules 23.

    Figure 1. Enriched bacterial isolates growing on NDA medium
     Enriched bacterial isolates growing on NDA medium

    Primary Screening of PHB Producing Bacterial Strains

    Sudan Black B staining

    Primary screening was done in order to determine the PHB production of the bacterial strains. These strains were further used for the analysis of PHB polymer. Both the bacterial strains NFKVG 8 and NFKVG 10 accumulated PHB in the form of intracellular granules and these granules were able to absorb the Sudan Black stain and the cell wall of the strains was stained pink as a result of the counter stain used. Under magnification of 100 x it was seen that the granules were stained black against a pink background taken up by the Safranin stain (Figure 2). The observation of these darkly stained granules determined the production of PHB in the bacterial strains. For the rapid detection of PHB producing bacteria, 0.02% alcoholic solution of Sudan Black B stain was used24. It was reported that a total of 120 isolates showed black – blue coloration when stained with Sudan Black B, a preliminary screening agent for lipophilic compounds 2.

    Figure 2. Microscopic observation of PHB granules produced in the bacterial strain
     Microscopic observation of PHB granules produced in the bacterial strain

    Growth Pattern of PHB Producing Bacterial Strains

    The individual bacterial strains were grown in Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) to study the growth pattern and also to determine the PHB yield. It was shown that the individual bacterial strains showed maximum growth for the bacterial strain NFKVG 8 – 0.668 and NFKVG 10 – 0.621 respectively (Figure 3) and the PHB yield was seen to be maximum on the third day of incubation - 50 mg/100ml for the bacterial strain NFKVG 8 and 37 mg/100ml for NFKVG 10 (Table 1).

    Figure 3. Growth pattern of P/HB producing bacterial strains
     Growth pattern of P/HB producing bacterial strains

    Table 1. PHB yield by bacterial strains
    STRAIN NO GROWTH ( O.D at 540 nm) PHB YIELD (mg/100ml)
    NFKVG 8 0.997 50
    NFKVG 10 0.986 37

    Secondary Screening of PHB Producing Bacterial Strains by Fluorescence Microscopy

    The Sudan black B stained positive bacterial strains were further screened by Nile Blue A, a more specific stain for PHB production which is a more rapid and sensitive method. After staining with Nile Blue A, the PHB accumulating granules showed bright orange fluorescence on irradiation with UV light. Hence the fluorescence of PHB granules was checked from Day 0 to Day 3 to determine the increase in the PHB production. The fluorescence intensity increased with the increase in PHB content of the bacterial strains. The fluorescence was observed under 100 x magnification (Figure 4). PHB granules exhibited a strong orange fluorescence when stained with Nile Blue A 18. It was also reported that a total of 62 isolates showed positive result with Nile Blue A staining, a specific dye for the presence of PHB granules. The PHB accumulating colonies after Nile Blue A staining, showed bright orange fluorescence on irradiation with UV light and their fluorescence intensity increased with increase in the PHB content of the bacterial cells2.

    Figure 4. PHB granules observed under Fluorescence Microscope by the bacterial strain
     PHB granules observed under Fluorescence Microscope by the bacterial strain

    Polymer Determination by FT IR Spectroscopy Method

    FT – IR spectra of the PHB production predicts the presence of functional groups of PHB 25i.e., aliphatic C – H, = O stretching, = C – H deformation and = C – O. PHB and their copolymers have known to contain these functional groups26.PHB polymer extracted from the bacterial strains was used for recording the IR Spectra in the range of 4000 – 500 cm-1 (Figure 5). The spectrum showed intense absorption at the range of 1744 – 1030 cm-1 for the bacterial strains which shows the aliphatic nature of the PHB produced. The spectrum also showed the absorption bands of O – H stretching in the range of 3404 – 3411 cm-1 which was variable and sharp. In addition, the spectrum showed absorption bands of C – H stretching in the range of 2927 – 2860 cm-1 which was medium and variable (Table 2). It was reported the absorption band during FT – IR analysis from 2924 cm-1 to 2854 cm-1 stretching as aliphatic C – H band. The absorption band obtained at 1608 cm-1 as C = O stretching, the bands obtained at 1460 cm-1 as C – H of CH3 stretching27.

    Figure 5. FT – IR spectrum of the bacterial strains for PHB production
     FT – IR spectrum of the bacterial strains for PHB production

    Table 2. Peak values of the bands and their corresponding functional groups for the confirmation of the presence of PHB production
    PEAK VALUE cm -1 FUNCTIONAL GROUP INTENSITY
    3411.26 O – H stretch Variable, broad
    2923.25 C – H stretch Strong
    2860.56 C – H stretch aldehyde Variable
    1455.35 C – H alkane Variable
    1030.03 C – O stretch Strong

    Quantification of PHB by UV – Spectrophotometric Analysis

    To quantify the production of PHB, Crotonic acid was used as a standard at concentrations ranging from 5 – 50 µg/ml (Figure 6). Table 3 gives the optical density of the substrate increasing from 0.532 at 50µg/ml concentration to 0.971 at 500µg/ml of Crotonic Acid.

    Figure 6. Standard graph of Crotonic acid assay for the quantification of PHB
     Standard graph of Crotonic acid assay for the quantification of PHB

    Table 3. Absorbance of Crotonic Acid at 235 nm
    S.NO Crotonic acid µl Sulphuric acid ml   Concentration µ g/ml   O.D value at 235 nm
    1 - 3 - 0
    2 50 2.950 5 0.532
    3 100 2.900 10 0.687
    4 150 2.850 15 0.790
    5 200 2.800 20 0.878
    6 250 2.750 25 0.891
    7 300 2.700 30 0.934
    8 400 2.600 40 0.959
    9 500 2.500 50 0.971

    Characterization and Identification of Bacterial Strains

    SEM Analysis

    SEM analysis was carried out to determine the morphological structures of the bacterial strains. The ultra structure of the bacterial strains NFKVG 8 and NFKVG 10 was observed under 11000 x magnification and it was seen that the strains showed rod shaped morphology (Figure 7).

    Figure 7. Morphology of NFKVG 8 and NFKVG 10 under 11000 x magnification
     Morphology of NFKVG 8 and NFKVG 10 under 11000 x magnification

    Biochemical C haracterization and M olecular I dentification of the PHB P roducing B acterial S trains

    According to the results of the various biochemical tests that were performed, the individual bacterial isolates were classified upto the genus level and they were characterized to belong in the Acinetobacter sp(Table 4). For further characterization, 16 s rRNA gene sequences were determined. The obtained sequences were compared with the available sequences in the NCBI database using BLAST program and the bacterial strains were identified to be as NFKVG 8 – Acinetobacter iwoffii(KX622778)and NFKVG 10 – Acinetobacter baumannii(KX622779). The phylogenetic analysis was carried out by using the MEGA 6.0 software to determine the evolutionary distances between the bacterial strain (Figure 8). It was reported that the PHB positive isolates were identified to be Pseudomonas sp. based on the Bergey’s manual of determinative Bacteriology 28.

    Figure 8. Phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial strains NFKVG 8 and NFKVG10
     Phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial strains NFKVG 8 and NFKVG10

    Table 4. Biochemical characterization of the bacterial strains
    CHARACTERISTICS NFKVG 8 NFKVG 10
    Gram’s staining -ve -ve
    Motility - -
    Catalase + +
    Oxidase + +
    Indole - +
    Methyl Red + +
    Voges Proskauer - -
    Citrate utilization - -
    Triple Sugar Iron Alkaline slant and butt Alkaline slant and butt
    Starch hydrolysis - -
    Carbohydrate Fermentation Glucose  + +
    Galactose - -
    Lactose - -
    Maltose - -
    Sucrose + +
    Xylose - -

    Bioreactor Studies to Increase PHB Production by the Efficient Bacterial Strain NFKVG 8

    Bioreactor studies for the large scale production of PHB were carried out first in 250 ml and 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks with the most efficient bacterial strain – NFKVG 8. Water analysis was done for the wastewater which was used for the scale up in the production of PHB (Table 5). For the large scale production of PHB, the bacterial strain NFKVG 8 was inoculated with sterilized wastewater in 250 ml and 500 ml flasks and then in a 3L fermenter. The total protein content and PHB production was determined for both the batch studies as well as the fermenter setup and the results were recorded (Figure 9). PHB production was done and the amount of PHB was quantified in the shaker flasks and the laboratory scale fermenter. It was seen that the /PHB content increased as the volume of the wastewater increased from 18 mg/100 ml in the shaker flasks to 75 mg/100 ml in the fermenter (Figure 10). It was reported that the PHB production from wastewater obtained from different sources like sugar and pulp industry. In their study amount of PHB produced was found to be 77 – 80 % (w/w) of dry cell weight15

    Figure 9. Protein content of the bacterial strain NFKVG 8 in wastewater
     Protein content of the bacterial strain NFKVG 8 in wastewater

    Figure 10. PHB yield of the bacterial strain NFKVG 8 from wastewater
     PHB yield of the bacterial strain NFKVG 8 from wastewater

    Table 5. Results of the wastewater analysis
    pH 7.5
    Temperature 29.7°C
    Conductivity 1413 mScm-1
    Total Dissolved Solids 250 ppm
    Salinity 171 ppm
    Dissolved Oxygen 1.8 ppm
    Hardness 16.4 ppm
    Chloride 61 ppm

    Conclusion

    PHB is the most popular and the best characterized polymer belonging to the class of polyhydroxyalkanoates. It could be used for applications similar to those of common plastics and could fit well into new waste-manageable strategies as well. The recovery of PHB from the cell wall of extreme halophiles is much easier when compared with eubacteria. Hence in this study, halotolerant bacterial strains were isolated from marine soil and the PHB production was compared in both the bacterial strains. The efficient bacterial strain was used in the large scale production of PHB using wastewater. The future perspectives of this study would be to employ novel methods of PHB production which are both cost – effective and environmentally friendly. This could be done by commercializing the production of PHB by using wastewater as the substrate for the production of PHB.

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