Identificación molecular de bacterias poliextremofilas en la laguna volcánica del Quilotoa

Abstract

The Quilotoa volcanic lagoon is one of the most studied volcanic lagoons in Ecuador regarding its geomorphological, geochemical, climatological and volcanological aspects, except the microbiological ones, despite the substantial impact they have on the adaptability and microbial biodiversity to extreme conditions. Consequently, the aim of this research was to identify polyelectrophilic bacteria found in sediments of the Quilotoa volcanic lagoon. The methodology implemented was focused on a qualitative approach, using a cross-sectional experimental design due to the manipulation of the described variables for the observation in a specific period, with a descriptive-exploratory scope, which detailed the characteristics, maximum tolerances, genus and species of the microorganisms isolated from the sediments of the lagoon. These were tested for resistance to extreme conditions such as high concentrations of heavy metals (mercury and arsenic), high osmotic pressures, as well as the absence of oxygen to identify them molecularly through a DNA extraction at a genus and species level. Through this methodology, it was possible to identify seven bacterial strains resilient to extreme conditions to which they were exposed; these strains were Shewanella baltica, Pseudomonas sp., Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Lysinibacillus parviboronicapiens, Psychrobacter alimentarius and Pseudomonas fluorescens. These findings provide important information to conclude that bacterial diversity in an extreme environment such as the volcanic lagoon have developed the ability to resist different extreme environmental conditions, this aspect contributes to the understanding of polyelectrophilic microbiota and their adaptation to adverse conditions; thus, it could be applied in areas such as biotechnology and bioremediation.