Psychrobacter species enrichment as potential microplastic degrader and the putative biodegradation mechanism in Shenzhen Bay sediment, China.

Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental concern due to its ubiquity and longevity. Biodegradation of MPs has garnered significant attention in combatting global MP contamination. This study focused on MPs within sediments near the sewage outlet of Shenzhen Bay. The objective was to elucidate the microbial communities in sediments with varying MPs, particularly those with high MP loads, and to identify microorganisms associated with MP degradation. The results revealed varying MP abundance, ranging from 211 to 4140 items kg-1 dry weight (d. w.), with the highest concentration observed near the outfall. Metagenomic analysis confirmed the enrichment of Psychrobacter species in sediments with high MP content. Psychrobacter accounted for ∼16.71% of the total bacterial community and 41.71% of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria at the S3 site, exhibiting a higher abundance than at other sampling sites. Psychrobacter contributed significantly to bacterial function at S3, as evidenced by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway and enzyme analysis. Notably, 28 enzymes involved in MP biodegradation were identified, predominantly comprising oxidoreductases, hydrolases, transferases, ligases, lyases, and isomerases. We propose a putative mechanism for MP biodegradation, involving the breakdown of long-chain plastic polymers and subsequent oxidation of short-chain oligomers, ultimately leading to thorough mineralization.

Cloning, purification, and characterization of a cold-adapted esterase produced by Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5T from Siberian cryopeg.

A psychrotrophic gram-negative bacterium Psychrobacter cryohalolentis K5(T) was previously isolated from a cryopeg within Siberian permafrost and its genome has been completely sequenced. To clone and characterize potential cold-active lipases/esterases produced by P. cryohalolentis K5(T) , we have identified their potential genes by alignment with amino acid sequences of lipases/esterases from related bacteria. One of the targets, EstPc, was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The recombinant protein was produced with a 6x histidine tag at its C-terminus and purified by nickel affinity chromatography. Purified recombinant protein displayed maximum esterolytic activity with p-nitrophenyl butyrate (C4) as a substrate at 35 °C and pH 8.5. Activity assay conducted at different temperatures revealed that EstPc is a cold-adapted esterase which displayed more than 90% of its maximum activity at 0-5 °C. In contrast to many known cold-active enzymes, it possesses relatively high thermostability, preserving more than 60% of activity after incubation for 1 h at 80 °C. It was activated by Ca(2+) , Mn(2+) , and EDTA whereas Zn(+2) , Cu(+2) , Co(+2) , Ni(+2) , and Mg(+2) inhibited it. Various organic solvents (ethanol, methanol and others) inhibited the enzyme. Most non-ionic detergents, such as Triton X-100 and Tween 20 increased the lipase activity while SDS completely inhibited it.