Characterization of Bacteria Community Isolated from Wood Decay

In order to discover enzymes having potential for wood fibre modification, bacteria (fourteen strains designated MMB1 to MMB14) were isolated from a decomposing stump from a resinous tree. Phylogenetic analysis and biochemical characterization indicated that these isolates were related to Microbacterium, Chryseobacterium, Lysinibacillus, and Bacillus gene; although most demonstrated phenotypic differences compared to previously characterized relatives. Only the Bacillus strains showed cellulolytic activity (as CMCase detected with Congo red) and only Bacillus subtilis strains (MMB10 to MMB14) displayed cellulolytic and secreted xylanase activity. Phenotypic characterization of two strains (MMB8 and MMB9) related to a previously characterized isolate (Bacillus sp. JU2), supported their reassignment to the genus Lysinibacillus. The Microbacterium strain MMB1 produced a green pigment when grown in the presence of light. Some microbes from the consortium were devoid of wood polymer modifying enzymes, and may be dependent on other organisms for their survival in this biotope.