Molecular characterization of culturable thermophilic prokaryotes from Chinyunyu hot spring in central Zambia
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Date
2019
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Hot springs are among some of the naturally-occurring extreme environments that have generated considerable interest in researchers worldwide. Thermophilic prokaryotes present in hot spring habitats are considered valuable sources for biotechnological products including thermally-stable enzymes applied in many research and manufacturing process. Despite the numerous hot springs in Zambia,
there is limited information on the diversity of thermophilic prokaryotes in these places. In this study, characterization of thermophilic prokaryotes isolated from Chinyunyu hot spring in Lusaka province,
Zambia was conducted using phenotypic and molecular-methods. The recorded temperature of the hot spring at the time of sampling was 60 C and the pH was 9.0 indicating alkaline environment. A total of 13 phenotypically distinct isolates were identified on nutrient agar medium at 55 C and pH 7.0. All isolates were Gram-positive, rod-shaped cells. Their genomic DNA was PCR-amplified using 16S rRNA primers and sequenced using the Big Dye Terminator v3.1 cycle sequencing kit on the ABI Prism 3130xl Genetic Analyzer (Life Technologies Corp). Amplicon sequences were analyzed using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and revealed that all isolates belonged to the bacterial phylum Firmicutes. Seven isolates were affiliated to the genus Anoxybacillus and six were affiliated to the genus Bacillus. The study revealed that Chinyunyu hot spring harbours genetically diverse thermophilic prokaryotes which could be amenable to further studies to exploit the hot spring microbiome for its biotechnological potential.
Description
Keywords
Hot spring, Thermophilic prokaryotes, Thermostable enzymes
Citation
Kalumbilo, M.P., Kaimoyo, E., & Phiri, J. (2019). Molecular characterization of culturable thermophilic prokaryotes from Chinyunyu hot spring in central Zambia. International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia, 13, 12-23.