Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42309587›Full record

ArticleJournal, genetic engineering & biotechnology2026

Comparative genomic analysis of poly-γ-glutamic acid producing Bacillus licheniformis strains isolated from dairy products.

Somiame Itseme Okuofu, Emmanuel Kuffour Osei, John Leech, John G Kenny, Vincent O'Flaherty, Olivia McAuliffe

Abstract read
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Article in Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Somiame Itseme OkuofuFood Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland; School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland. Electronic address: s.okuofu1@universityofgalway.ie.
Emmanuel Kuffour OseiFood Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Co. Cork T12 YT20, Ireland; School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Co. Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland.
John LeechFood Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland.
John G KennyFood Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Co. Cork T12 YT20, Ireland; School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Co. Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland; VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland.
Vincent O'FlahertySchool of Biological and Chemical Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 TK33, Ireland.
Olivia McAuliffeFood Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland; School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; Teagasc Climate Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 C996, Ireland. Electronic address: Olivia.McAuliffe@teagasc.ie.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a valuable biopolymer with diverse industrial applications, produced naturally by several Bacillus species. The dairy environment is an under-explored niche for identifying efficient, food-grade γ-PGA producers. In this study, four legacy dairy-derived Bacillus licheniformis strains: DPC3803, DPC6338, DPC6339, and DPC6340, producing high γ-PGA titres were examined using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and comparative genomic analysis to evaluate their suitability for future industrial applications. The genomes ranged from 4.19 to 4.29 Mb with an average GC content of 45.8-46.2%. Pangenome analysis of the four strains, together with 51 publicly available B. licheniformis genomes, identified 12,415 gene clusters, of which 18.9% and 81.1% were core and accessory genes respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis demonstrated >99% sequence identity among all 55B. licheniformis genomes, despite their isolation from diverse environments, indicating strong genomic conservation within the species. Experimental validation confirmed γ-PGA production by all four strains, with maximum titres (g/L) of 43.27 ± 1.49, 59.54 ± 4.33, 27.93 ± 1.87, and 47.74 ± 0.19 for DPC3803, DPC6338, DPC6339, and DPC6340, respectively. Genomic screening revealed multiple γ-PGA metabolism and CAZyme-encoding genes, as well as unique secondary metabolite clusters with potential antimicrobial activity. Although no plasmids or virulence factors were detected, twenty-one prophages were identified, sharing no significant homology with known cultivated phages, and a single β-lactamase gene suggested intrinsic resistance to β-lactams. These findings highlight the genomic and functional potential of these dairy-derived B. licheniformis as efficient, food-grade candidates for industrial γ-PGA production.

Indexed as

Bacillus licheniformisCAZymesComparative genomicsPangenome analysisPoly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA)Prophage

Identifiers

PMID42309587
PMCPMC13019559

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.