ABSTRACT
Eight swainsonine (SW)-degrading bacteria were isolated from the soil where locoweed was buried for 6 months and one of the strains (YLZZ-1) was selected for further study. Based on morphology, physiologic tests, 16S rRNA gene sequence, and phylogenetic characteristics, the strain showed the greatest similarity to members of the order Acinetobacters and within the order to members of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus group. The ability of the strain for degrading SW, as sole carbon source, was investigated under different culture conditions. The preferential temperature and initial pH for the strain were 25-35 degrees C and 6-9, respectively. The optimal temperature for the strain was 30 degrees C and the optimal pH was 7.0. There was a positive correlation between degradation rate and inoculation amount. The concentration of SW affected the degradation ability. When the concentration of SW was lower than 100 mg/l, SW decreased immediately after incubation, and when the concentration of SW was 200 mg/l, there was an inhibiting effect for bacteria growth and SW degradation. The strain could degrade SW completely within 14 h when the concentration of SW was 50 mg/l. These results highlight the potential of this bacterium to be used in detoxifying of SW in livestock consuming locoweed.