New Bacteria Species Found in Organically Grown Onions

Jenn Hoskins
6th June, 2024

New Bacteria Species Found in Organically Grown Onions

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from the Max Rubner-Institut discovered a new bacterial strain, Bosea rubneri sp. nov., from an onion sample
  • Genetic and phenotypic analyses confirmed that this strain is a new species within the genus Bosea
  • This discovery enhances our understanding of the genus Bosea's diversity and its ecological roles, especially in agricultural contexts like onion storage
A recent study conducted by the Max Rubner-Institut has identified a novel bacterial strain from an onion sample, designated as strain ZW T0_25T, which has been classified under the genus Bosea. This new strain has been named Bosea rubneri sp. nov.[1]. This discovery adds to the growing body of knowledge about the genus Bosea, which has been of significant interest due to its diverse physiological and ecological roles. The genus Bosea is part of the Alphaproteobacteria class, a group known for its varied morphologies and habitat preferences[2]. Previous studies have highlighted the complexity and diversity within this class, making classification challenging. For instance, the isolation of Bosea thiooxidans from agricultural soil demonstrated the genus's ability to oxidize sulfur compounds, although it could not grow autotrophically[3]. Similarly, new species like Bosea caraganae have been identified from root nodules of legumes, further expanding the ecological roles attributed to this genus[4]. Strain ZW T0_25T was isolated during a storage trial of onions (Allium cepa var. Hytech F1). This aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium was subjected to comprehensive genetic and phenotypic analyses. The 16S rRNA gene sequence, along with whole draft genome sequences, were analyzed using digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI), and Average Amino Acid Identity (AAI). These analyses confirmed that strain ZW T0_25T represents a new species within the genus Bosea. The genome size of Bosea rubneri sp. nov. is 6.19 Mbp, with a GC content of 66.9%. The strain's cellular composition includes whole cell sugars such as rhamnose, ribose, and glucose. The major respiratory quinone is ubiquinone Q-10, constituting 97.8% of the quinone content. The polar lipid profile includes phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipid, aminolipids, glycolipid, and phospholipids. The fatty acid profile is dominated by C18:1 w7c (63.3%), C16:1 w7c (19.5%), and C16:0 (7.1%). This polyphasic approach, combining genetic and phenotypic analyses, is essential for accurately classifying new bacterial species. It aligns with recent efforts to refine the classification of Alphaproteobacteria by incorporating genome-scale data and resolving phylogenetic relationships[2]. The identification of Bosea rubneri sp. nov. contributes to our understanding of the genus Bosea's diversity and ecological roles, particularly in agricultural contexts such as onion storage. In summary, the discovery of Bosea rubneri sp. nov. by the Max Rubner-Institut highlights the continued importance of comprehensive genetic and phenotypic analyses in bacterial classification. This new strain adds to the ecological and physiological diversity of the genus Bosea, demonstrating the genus's adaptability to various environments and its potential significance in agricultural settings.

AgricultureBiotechPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Bosea rubneri sp. nov. Isolated from Organically Grown Allium cepa.

Published 5th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-024-03717-6

Related Studies

2) Analysis of 1,000+ Type-Strain Genomes Substantially Improves Taxonomic Classification of Alphaproteobacteria.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00468

3) Oxidation of thiosulfate by a new bacterium, Bosea thiooxidans (strain BI-42) gen. nov., sp. nov.: analysis of phylogeny based on chemotaxonomy and 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing.

Journal: International journal of systematic bacteriology, Issue: Vol 46, Issue 4, Oct 1996

4) Bosea caraganae sp. nov. a new species of slow-growing bacteria isolated from root nodules of the relict species Caragana jubata (Pall.) Poir. originating from Mongolia.

https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.003509


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