Background: Cellulases and lipases have broad industrial application, which calls for an urgent
exploration of microorganisms from extreme environments as valuable source of commercial enzyme.
In this context, the present work describes the bioprospection and identification of deep-sea bacteria
that produce cellulases and lipases, as well their optimal temperature of activity.
Results: The first step
of this study was the screening of cellulolytic and lipolytic deep-sea bacteria from sediment and water
column, which was conducted with substrates linked with 4-Methylumbelliferyl. Among the 161 strains
evaluated, 40 were cellulolytic, 23 were lipolytic and 5 exhibited both activities. Cellulolytic and lipolytic
bacteria are more common in sediment than at the water column. Based on the ability to produce
cellulases and lipases three isolates were selected and identified (16S rRNA sequencing) as
Bacillus
stratosphericus
,
B. aerophilus
and
B. pumilus
. Lipases of strain
B. aerophilus LAMA 582 exhibited
activity at a wide temperature range (4º to 37ºC) and include psychrophilic behaviour. Strain
Bacillus
stratosphericus LAMA 585 can growth in a rich (Luria Bertani) and minimal (Marine Minimal) medium,
and does not need an inducer to produce its mesophilic cellulases and lipases.
Conclusions: Deepsea
sediments have great potential for bioprospection of cellulase and lipase-producing bacteria. The
strains LAMA 582 and LAMA 585 with their special features, exhibit a great potential to application at
many biotechnology process.
