Biotechnological potential of bacteria in alkaline highly mineralized environments of soda sludge (Berezniki, Perm region)

Abstract

Alkaline highly mineralized environments are a source of microorganisms that produce enzymes
which are in demand in biotechnology, food industry, medicine, and agriculture. The extracellular hydrolytic enzymes of these microorganisms are resistant to high pH and mineralization. Within the framework of two scientific projects, the phylogenetic diversity of the bacterial community of alkaline highly mineralized media of anthropogenic origin, that is, the soda sludge of the Bereznikovsky Soda Plant (Berezniki, Perm Region) was studied. The sources of the isolation of bacterial cultures were the environments of the sludge storage (soda sludge, distiller water, surface technogenic formations that restrict the territory of the sludge storage) and the old sludge storage, on which vegetation is being restored. Alkalotolerant and alkalophilic hydrolytic bacteria with amylase, lipase, proteases and cellulose activities have been isolated and identified. Isolated bacteria, subject to further selection, are of interest for biotechnology as producers of enzymes that are resistant to alkaline pH and high mineralization of the medium.