Biodegradation of phenol by a highly tolerant strain Rhodococcus ruber C1: Biochemical characterization and comparative genome analysis

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2021-01, Vol.208, p.111709, Article 111709
• Main Authors: Zhao, Tiantao, Gao, Yanhui, Yu, Tiantian, Zhang, Yunru, Zhang, Zhengyi, Zhang, Lei, Zhang, Lijie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Biodegradation, Environmental; Comparative genome analysis; Gene copy number; Gene Dosage; Genome, Bacterial - genetics; Genomics; Phenol - metabolism; Phenol degradation; Phenols - metabolism; Rhodococcus; Rhodococcus - classification; Rhodococcus - genetics; Rhodococcus - metabolism; Temperature; Temperature tolerance
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111709

A novel phenol-degrading strain was isolated and identified as Rhodococcus ruber C1. The degradation analysis shows that 1806 mg/L of phenol can be completely degraded by strain C1 within 38 h, and the maximum specific growth rate (μmax=1.527 h−1) and maximum specific phenol degradation rate (qmax=3.674 h−1) indicate its excellent phenol metabolism capability. More importantly, phenol can be degraded by strain C1 in the temperature range of 20–45 °C within 72 h, and with longer degradation time, phenol can be completely degraded even at 10, 15 and 50 °C. The whole genome of strain C1 was sequenced, and a comparative genome analysis of strain C1 with 36 other genomes of Rhodococcus was performed. A remarkable gene family expansion occurred during the evolution of Rhodococcus, and a comprehensive evolutionary picture of Rhodococcus at genomic level was presented. Moreover, the copy number of genes involved in phenol metabolism was compared among genus Rhodococcus, and the results demonstrate high phenol degradation capability of strain C1 at genomic level. These findings suggest that Rhodococcus ruber C1 is a bacterium capable of degrading phenol efficiently in the temperature range of 10–50 °C. [Display omitted] •A novel phenol-degrading strain was identified as Rhodococcus ruber C1.•A remarkable gene family expansion occurred during the evolution of Rhodococcus.•A comprehensive picture of phenol metabolic process of Rhodococcus was obtained.•The strain C1 could be used for phenol removal in the temperature range of 10–50 °C.•The copy number of genes was used to investigate the phenol metabolism pathway.