A Novel n-Hexadecane-Degrading Bacterium Provisionally Named “Thermalkanevorax longiformis” Isolated from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent

Physiological and genomic characterization of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain Z-73A, an isolate from deep underground.

The behaviour of M.thermautotrophicus under suboptimal conditions is described and the need for further optimization to improve methane production yields is highlighted.

Experimental, Genomic, and Structural Evidence Supporting Putative PET‐Hydrolases in Thermophilic Bacteria Isolated From Hot Springs in Cajamarca, Peru

ABSTRACT Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste represents a major environmental challenge due to limited recycling solutions. Thermophilic bacteria from geothermal environments harbor diverse enzymatic machinery adapted to extreme conditions, offering promising biocatalysts for plastic degradation; however, biological resources from Peru and other South American countries remain scarce. We characterized four bacterial strains isolated from two geothermal sites in Cajamarca, Peru, screened for PET hydrolysis at 50°C. Whole‐genome sequencing using hybrid assembly achieved near‐complete circular genomes. GTDB‐Tk classification identified three species: Neobacillus thermocopriae (strain 19A), Bacillus licheniformis (strains 16P and BI2), and Brevibacillus agri (strain BI8). Quantitative assays revealed that strain 16P achieved the highest mass loss (0.598%), followed by strain BI8 (0.449%). ATR‐FTIR analysis of the incubated sheets showed a significant reduction of the ester carbonyl index in strains 16P, 19A, and BI8 relative to both non‐incubated PET and an abiotic control, whereas strain BI2 did not differ from the controls, indicating preferential modification of ester bonds at the sheet surface. Genome mining and structure‐based homology searches identified multiple candidate enzymes similar to validated PETases and carboxylesterases, including PETase46‐like homologs in strains BI8 and 16P and a terephthalate‐active carboxylesterase homolog in strain 16P. Molecular docking supported the conservation of catalytic geometry and substrate‐binding sites in these candidates. This work represents one of the first systematic genomic and structural characterizations of putative PET‐hydrolases in Peruvian geothermal bacteria, expanding knowledge of extremophile diversity and advancing thermostable enzymes for sustainable plastic waste management.

Genomic insights from a long-read assembly of a deep-sea Chromohalobacter israelensis strain from Santos Basin pockmarks field

Analysis revealed genes for metabolizing diverse carbohydrate sources, a complete ectoine synthesis cluster essential for halophily, and genes conferring tolerance to osmotic stress, low temperatures, and pH, underscoring its polyextremophilic capacity.

Salinimicrobium molybdatiresistens sp. nov., a novel molybdate-resistant and selenite-reducing bacterium isolated from river silt

Complete genome sequence of psychrotolerant Lacisediminihabitans sp. FW035 isolated from freshwater in Antarctica

Genome analysis revealed a complete C5–C20 isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway and multiple biosynthetic gene clusters, including terpene-associated clusters with low similarity to previously characterized pathways, indicating the presence of biosynthetic potential distinct from previously characterized pathways.

Peptonella octanoica gen. nov., sp. nov., a new medium-chain carboxylate-producing bacterium, and the reclassification of Eubacterium pyruvativorans as Peptonella pyruvativorans comb. nov

Based on further phenotypic, genomic, and phylogenetic analysis, strain F2T represents a novel genus and species within the family Anaerovoracaceae with the proposed name Peptonella octanoica gen. sp.