BIOTECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF CULTURABLE BACTERIA OBTAINED FROM MARTIMIANO II CAVE, IBITIPOCA STATE PARK - MG

Abstract

The Martimiano II Cave is the largest quartzite cave in Brazil and is located in the Ibitipoca State Park - Minas Gerais. The unique environmental conditions and the low energy input of the cavities act as selective pressures on the organisms inhabiting them. The microbiota has great ecological and biotechnological importance, since cultivable microorganisms are widely used as resources in agriculture, pharmaceutical industry and in bioprocesses. However, there are few studies on cave microbiota and their biotechnological potential. The objectives of this work were to bioprospect and analyze the biotechnological potential of bacteria associated with the floor, ceiling and wall of the Martimiano II Cave. A total of 12 samples from four areas of the cave were obtained. Characterization of the mineral phases was done by X-ray diffraction. The samples were then washed and serially diluted with autoclaved tap water. The wash was plated on rich culture medium and after 3 days the bacterial colonies were isolated, preserved, biochemical tests were performed and the isolate with the highest potential was identified. The mineral phases characterized were the same among the samples, consisting of quartz, muscovite, kaolinite and gibbsite. A total of 72 bacterial isolates were obtained that now constitute the first bank of bacterial isolates from this cave. Three isolates had the ability to fix nitrogen and one to solubilize phosphate, fundamental components for plant development. Five isolates showed possible antagonism to Klebsiella pneumoniae and isolate 14 was able to inhibit the growth of K. pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. In indirect inhibition assay isolate 14 prevented the growth of the pathogens, was characterized as mobile, Gram-negative and identified as Peribacillus. The novelty of this research corroborates the potential of generating new knowledge accompanied by the development of new products, adding value to ecosystem services from an unknown genetic heritage.