Molecular identification of xenobiotic degrading bacteria via the 16S rDNA approach

Molecular identification of five xenobiotic degrading bacteria was performed by using the16S rDNA approach. The strains KCM-R10 and KCM-R11 were isolated from polluted environments near the biggest Pb-Zn smelter on the Balkan Peninsula - KCM. AP9 strain was isolated from activated sludge of the Sofia waste water treatment plant and BT271 - from a phenol-polluted soil in the region of the petrochemical plant near the town of Burgas. The “U”-strain is a bacterial culture of the laboratory microbial collection of Sofia University. All strains are transforming or degrading xenobiotics such as heavy metals, phenol and its derivatives. PCR amplification of their 16S rRNA genes, RFLP analysis of the obtained amplicons with MspI and HaeIII endonucleases and sequencing were conducted. The isolate KCM R10 was affiliated with Pseudomonas sp., the isolates KCM R11 and BT271 – with Bacillus sp., the isolate AP9 - with Pseudomonas putida, and the isolate called “U” - with Bacilluis amyloliquifaciens. The strains are promising for application as mixed cultures in the industrial waste water purification