Bioprospecting potential of microbial communities in solid waste landfills for novel enzymes through metagenomic approach.

Landfills are repository for complex microbial diversity responsible for bio-degradation of solid waste. To elucidate this complexity, samples from three different landfill sites of North India (sample V: Bhalswa near Karnal byepass road, New Delhi, India; sample T: Chandigarh, India and sample S3: Una, H.P., India) were analyzed using metagenomic approach. Selected landfill sites had different geographical location, varied in waste composition, size of landfill and climate zone. For comparison, one sample from high altitude (sample J) having less human interference was taken in this study. The aim of this study was to explore microbial diversity of communities responsible for degradation of landfill. Samples were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Data from three landfill sites showed abundance of phylum Proteobacteria while less contaminated sample from high altitude showed abundance of phylum Cholroflexi followed by phylum Proteobacteria. The most abundant genus was unknown suggesting that these landfills could be repository for various novel bacterial communities. Sample T was relatively more active in terms of microbial activity. It was relatively abundant in enzymes responsible for dioxin degradation, styrene degradation, steroid degradation, streptomycin biosynthesis, carbapenem biosynthesis, monobactam biosynthesis, furfural degradation pathways while sample J was predicted to be enriched in plant cell wall degrading enzymes. Co-occurrence analysis revealed presence of complex interaction networks between microbial assemblages responsible for bio-degradation of hydrocarbons. The data provides insights about synergetic interactions and functional interplay between bacterial communities in different landfill sites which could be further exploited to develop an effective bioremediation process.

Waste valorization: Identification of an ethanol tolerant bacterium Acetobacter pasteurianus SKYAA25 for acetic acid production from apple pomace.

In present study, a potential bacterial isolate Acetobacter pasteurianus SKYAA25 was found to be very effective in the bioconversion of apple pomace to acetic acid. The isolated strain was tolerant to high ethanol concentrations of upto 14% and temperature of 42 °C. Fermentation of apple pomace alone in presence of brewing yeast produced 7.3% of bio-ethanol which was further used for acetic acid production. Apple pomace in combination with cane molasses produced 14% of bio-ethanol. The fermented bio-ethanol was used as medium for acetic acid production which yielded 52.4 g of acetic acid/100 g of DM (Dry Matter) of apple pomace. Hence, an ecofriendly process has been developed that is entirely based on microbial processing of apple pomace to produce acetic acid without involving commercial enzymes. The present bio-conversion will prove to be beneficial for utilizing food and beverage industrial waste in the production of acetic acid.