• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1971-1976
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• 2015

Oceanobacillus kimchii is a member of the genus Oceanobacillus within the family Bacillaceae. Species of the Oceanobacillus possess moderate haloalkaliphilic features and originate from various alkali or salty environments. The haloalkaliphilic characteristics of Oceanobacillus advocate they may have possible uses in biotechnological and industrial applications, such as alkaline enzyme production and biodegradation. This study presents the draft genome sequence of O. kimchii X50^T and its annotation. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis of O. kimchii X50^T was performed with two previously reported Oceanobacillus genome sequences. The 3,822,411 base-pair genome contains 3,792 protein-coding genes and 80 RNA genes with an average G+C content of 35.18 mol%. The strain carried 67 and 13 predicted genes annotated with transport system and osmoregulation, respectively, which support the tolerance phenotype of the strain in high-alkali and high-salt environments.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2006

Halotolerant spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from the root, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere soil of Blutaparon portulacoides. The different isolates were characterized genetically using an amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), and phenotypically based on their colonial morphology, physiology, and nutritional requirements. Three different 16S rRNA gene-based genotypes were observed at a 100% similarity using the enzymes HinfI, MspI, and RsaI, and the phenotypic results also followed the ARDRA groupings. Selected strains, representing the different ARDRA groups, were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and members of the genera Halobaeillus, Virgibacillus, and Oceanobacillus were found. Two isolates showed low 16S rDNA sequence similarities with the closest related species of Halobacillus, indicating the presence of new species among the isolates. The majority of the strains isolated in this study seemed to belong to the species O. iheyensis and were compared using an AP-PCR to determine whether they had a clonal origin or not. Different patterns allowed the grouping of the strains according to Pearson's coefficient, and the resulting dendrogram revealed the formation of two main clusters, denoted as A and B. All the strains isolated from the soil were grouped into cluster A, whereas cluster B was exclusively composed of the strains associated with the B. portulacoides roots. This is the first report on the isolation and characterization of halotolerant spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria that coexist with B. portulacoides. As such, these new strains may be a potential source for the discovery of bioactive compounds with industrial value.