Comparative analysis of milk fat decomposition activity by Mrakia spp. isolated from Skarvsnes ice-free area, East Antarctica

Milk fat curdle is difficult to remove from sewage. In an attempt to identify an appropriate agent for bioremediation of milk fat curdle, Mrakia strains were collected from the Skarvsnes ice-free area of Antarctica. A total of 27 strains were isolated and tested for their ability to decompose milk fat at temperatures ranging from 4 degrees C to 15 degrees C. All strains could decompose milk fat at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the decomposition ability of milk fat (DAMF) revealed that the DAMF may be useful for predicting the outcome of phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.