ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FOREST SOIL ORGANIC MATTER DEGRADATION BACTERIA IN CALABRIA REGION, SOUTHERN ITALY

The lignocellulose is the main component of the plant cell wall and the most abundant polycarbohydrate in the Earth. It is a renewable and sustainable source for the manufacturing of bioproducts (biofuel, bioplastic, etc. ).Lignocellulose is composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in different percentages organized into a complex structure, showing high recalcitrance to degradation. Due to its hydrophobic nature, the degradation of lignocellulose in the simple compounds is very difficult and only a small number of organisms is able to decompose it.Evidences show that bacteria contribute actively to the decomposition of cellulose, hemicellulose in forest soil and this degradation could represent a green alternative technology.The aim of this study was to explore and characterize the potential lignocellulolytic bacteria from soil of a temperate Mediterranean forest. The study areas are located in Sila National Park and Pollino National Park, Calabria, southern Italy, which could represent pilot areas in the whole Mediterranean.Soil samples were collected at the deep of 0-5 cm from different sites, which were characterized for height and tree cover and geolocalized using a differential GPS in RTK mode. Serial dilutions of each soil sample were plated in minimal culture media with lignocellulose (1%) as an only energy source. About 150 strains were isolated from soil samples of both sites and characterized by microbiological and enzymatic analyses.To verify and compare the cellulolytic activity among strains, the qualitative determination was achieved by growing the microorganisms in selective media with iodine solution, and the quantitative cellulolytic activity was determined by spectrophotometric analysis using a synthetic colorimetric substrate for the ? glucosidase activity which is the last step in cellulose degradation. To bacteria identification DNA were extracted from strains with efficent cellulolytic activity and 16S rDNA were sequenced. Beside other organic matter degradation activities were investigated in these strains.This study gives an overview of potential bacteria that could be used in the various biotechnological application