Production of exopolysaccharides from Bacillus licheniformis, a thermophilic bacteria from hot spring of Jharkhand

Abstract

Thermophiles are the microorganisms which thrive under extreme conditions such as high temperature, making them significant for scientific interest. This study provides information based on isolation of thermophilic strain from Surajkund and Ramkund, hot spring of Jharkhand at 50, 60 and 70 °C. Two of the best isolates were used for the extraction of exopolysaccharides. Additionally, the lyophilized product obtained was further analyzed for protein and total sugar estimation. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of different functional groups such as hydroxyl, C–H stretching, vibration of aliphatic CH₂ and glycosidic linkage, thus proving the product obtained from bacteria was an exopolysaccharides The FESEM analysis of exopolysaccharides show varying surface morphology that is from porous to globular structure. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, the isolates from Surajkund (ON795919) and Ramkund (ON795916) were different strains of Bacillus licheniformis. This is the first report on exopolysaccharide secreting thermophilic strain from these hot springs.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Exopolysaccharides (EPSs)
• thermophilic bacteria
• Surajkund hot spring
• mucoid colonies
• string/ropy test
• FTIR

Acknowledgement

The authors are also sincerely thankful for the technical assistance of Central Instrumentation Facility, Birla Institute of Technology for the analysis of the samples.

Authors’ contributions

Usha Lakra: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing-original draft; Shubha Rani Sharma: Project administration, Supervision.

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Availability of data and material

The author confirms that the data supporting the findings of this study has been deposited in GenBank with the ID- ON795916 & ON795919.

Ethical approval and consent of participation

The study has not involved any human or animal participation.

Consent for publication

All authors gave the consent for publication.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by NFST (National Fellowship for Schedule Tribe for Higher Education) funded by ministry of tribal affair, Government of India. Award No.-202021-NFST-JHA-01759.