BIOREMEDIATION OF MICROCYSTINS BY TWO NATIVE BACTERIA: BACILLUS CEREUS AND RAHNELLA AQUATILIS

摘要

Microcystins (MCs) are a group of cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins produced by cyanobacteria. Among 70 analogues of MCs, Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the dominant type in Sri Lankan water bodies. Contamination of MC-LR in drinking water is a serious health issue. Thus, the present study was carried out to identify freshwater bacteria, which are capable of degrading MC-LR. BIOLOG MT2 plate assay was employed to confirm MC-LR biodegradation by the bacterium Bacillus cereus and Rahnella aquatilis which were isolated from Girandurukotte reservoir and form Ulhitiya reservoir respectively. Classic batch culture experiments showed that B. cereus and R. aquatilis removed 100% of MC-LR at 28°C within 8 and 10 days of incubation respectively. Optimized biodegradation conditions for MC-LR by B. cereus and R. aquatilis were recorded at 32°C when phosphates and nitrate concentrations were O.Olppm and 0.4 ppm respectively in experimental medium. Moreover, B. cereus and R. aquatilis were capable of degrading otherMCs analogues; Microcystin-LF (MC-LF), Microcystin -LW (MC-LW), Microcystin -RR (MC-RR) and nodularin (NOD) as well. Molecular studies confirmed that B. cereus and R. aquatilis harbored MC degrading ntlrA, mlrB, mlrC and mlrD genes. This is the first record for degradation of MCs and NOD by R. aquatilis.