Abstract Bacterial consortium PCTR-1 was developed by an enrichment technique using sediment from Mattanchery wharf, Cochin Port, India. Five species were isolated and identified as Chelatococcus daeguensis PCTRN1, Macrococcus sp. PCTR2, Rhodococcus ruber PCTR3, Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila PCTR4, and Micrococcus sp. PCTR5. The consortium showed 100% degradation of 1000 mg/L naphthalene when compared to the individual isolates. The optimum conditions for degradation were 37°C, pH at 7, and 150 rpm shaking. Tolerance of salinity up to 6% was observed, and sodium acetate as an additive enhanced naphthalene degradation. Naphthalene concentrations higher than 1000 mg/L exerted an inhibitory effect on degradation. 16S rRNA sequencing of PCTR-1 indicated the presence of 124 distinct bacterial species represented by the phyla Firmicutes (44%), Bacteroidota (27%), Proteobacteria (24%), and Actinobacteriota (3%). Dominant species were identified as Paenibacillus naphthalenovorans (44%), Sphingobacterium thermophilum (27%), and an unidentified strain belonging to the family Burkholderiaceae (17%). PICRUSt2 analysis indicated the presence of genes and multiple pathways associated with xenobiotic degradation. Intermediates of naphthalene degradation were identified by GC-MS and one probable pathway was elucidated. PCTR-1 showed growth in the presence of xenobiotics such as phenanthrene, anthracene, crude oil, diesel oil, phenol, and toluene indicating its potential application in xenobiotic bioremediation in marine environments. Research highlights <UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> This is the maiden study showing the development of a bacterial consortium from sediments of Cochin Port, India aimed at hydrocarbon degradation in marine environments. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> This study emphasizes significance of 16S rRNA sequencing over conventional culture techniques for depicting the microbial diversity of bacterial communities. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> PICRUSt2 analysis indicates the possible pathways of naphthalene degradation and also to assign significant contributions by the constituting bacterial isolates. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> GC-MS analysis validates the predicted degradation pathways and to deduce probable pathway of naphthalene mineralization. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

Characterization of bacterial consortium PCTR-1 developed from sediment of Cochin Port for biodegradation of naphthalene

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发表日期：

2026年3月14日

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Tripti Raghavendra,
Ann Rose Cheriyamparambil Ouseph,
Hashmina Sherin,
Shafna Sharin,
Parvathy Asokan,
Shaju Sudheesan Sushama,
Abhijith Muralidharan,
Deepa A Vasu,
Sarita G Bhat

摘要

Abstract

Bacterial consortium PCTR-1 was developed by an enrichment technique using sediment from Mattanchery wharf, Cochin Port, India. Five species were isolated and identified as Chelatococcus daeguensis PCTRN1, Macrococcus sp. PCTR2, Rhodococcus ruber PCTR3, Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila PCTR4, and Micrococcus sp. PCTR5. The consortium showed 100% degradation of 1000 mg/L naphthalene when compared to the individual isolates. The optimum conditions for degradation were 37°C, pH at 7, and 150 rpm shaking. Tolerance of salinity up to 6% was observed, and sodium acetate as an additive enhanced naphthalene degradation. Naphthalene concentrations higher than 1000 mg/L exerted an inhibitory effect on degradation. 16S rRNA sequencing of PCTR-1 indicated the presence of 124 distinct bacterial species represented by the phyla Firmicutes (44%), Bacteroidota (27%), Proteobacteria (24%), and Actinobacteriota (3%). Dominant species were identified as Paenibacillus naphthalenovorans (44%), Sphingobacterium thermophilum (27%), and an unidentified strain belonging to the family Burkholderiaceae (17%). PICRUSt2 analysis indicated the presence of genes and multiple pathways associated with xenobiotic degradation. Intermediates of naphthalene degradation were identified by GC-MS and one probable pathway was elucidated. PCTR-1 showed growth in the presence of xenobiotics such as phenanthrene, anthracene, crude oil, diesel oil, phenol, and toluene indicating its potential application in xenobiotic bioremediation in marine environments.

Research highlights

This is the maiden study showing the development of a bacterial consortium from sediments of Cochin Port, India aimed at hydrocarbon degradation in marine environments.

This study emphasizes significance of 16S rRNA sequencing over conventional culture techniques for depicting the microbial diversity of bacterial communities.

PICRUSt2 analysis indicates the possible pathways of naphthalene degradation and also to assign significant contributions by the constituting bacterial isolates.

GC-MS analysis validates the predicted degradation pathways and to deduce probable pathway of naphthalene mineralization.