Characterization of Bacillus Strains from Natural Honeybee Products with High Keratinolytic Activity and Antimicrobial Potential

Two efficient feather-degrading bacteria were isolated from honeybee samples and identified as Bacillus sonorensis and Bacillus licheniformis based on 16S rRNA and genome sequencing. The strains were able to grow on chicken feathers as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources and degraded the feathers in a few days. The highest keratinase activity was detected by the B. licheniformis CG1 strain (3800 U x mL(-1)), followed by B. sonorensis AB7 (1450 U x mL(-1)). Keratinase from B. licheniformis CG1 was shown to be active across a wide range of pH, potentially making this strain advantageous for further industrial applications. All isolates displayed antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus; however, only B. licheniformis CG1 was able to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis. In silico analysis using BAGEL and antiSMASH identified gene clusters associated with the synthesis of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), polyketide synthases (PKSs) and/or ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) in most of the Bacillus isolates. B. licheniformis CG1, the only strain that inhibited the growth of the mycobacterial strain, contained sequences with 100% similarity to lichenysin (also present in the other isolates) and lichenicidin (only present in the CG1 strain). Both compounds have been described to display antimicrobial activity against distinct bacteria. In summary, in this work, we have isolated a strain (B. licheniformis CG1) with promising potential for use in different industrial applications, including animal nutrition, leather processing, detergent formulation and feather degradation.

Automated summary

Two efficient feather-degrading bacteria, Bacillus sonorensis and Bacillus licheniformis, were isolated from honeybee samples and showed the ability to grow on chicken feathers as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources. B. licheniformis CG1 strain exhibited high keratinase activity and broad pH stability, making it advantageous for various industrial applications. Gene clusters associated with the synthesis of antimicrobial compounds were identified in most Bacillus isolates, with B. licheniformis CG1 containing sequences similar to lichenysin and lichenicidin, which have shown antimicrobial activity against different bacteria. This study highlights the potential of B. licheniformis CG1 for industrial applications such as animal nutrition, leather processing, detergent formulation, and feather degradation.