Cultivation and Genomic Analysis of Litter Decomposition Isolates from Eastern US Temperate Forests

Nava, Olivia

ABSTRACT: Leaf litter decomposition is a relevant and complex process in forest ecosystems that plays a key role in carbon and nutrient cycling and maintaining soil fertility. Bacteria and fungi can decompose the compounds present in leaf litter mostly cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, pectin and proteins. Microbes are the main producers of enzymes known as Carbohydrate Active Enzymes (CAZymes) allowing them to break down these complex carbohydrates in plant cell walls. Several studies have focused on the different factors affecting decomposition such litter quality of climate. However few studies have evaluated the bacteria and CAZymes activity in leaf litter during decomposition. This study assessed the microbial communities in leaves, and the link between them and the enzyme activities that modulate the decomposition process. We isolated 22 bacteria from leaves from three sites across the eastern U.S. temperate forest. After the 16S rRNA genes analysis, and sanger sequencing we selected three microbes of interest to sequence its whole genome. After the genomic characterization we identified the bacteria Frondihabitans and the presence of the CAZymes involved in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, suggesting that Frondihabitans may play a role in carbohydrate metabolism, which may be important for litter decomposition.