Evaluating the Role of Exiguobacterium in Arsenic and Pollutants in Soil
Milca Valderrama
Department of Biology
Faculty Supervisor: José R. de la Torre
In this study, the potential of microbial bioremediation was explored using Exiguobacterium to absorb or breakdown heavy metals and pollutants in soil. More specifically, arsenic was investigated to identify the possibility of Exiguobacterium’s role in this process. Using IMG/MER, nucleotide BLAST, and the NCBI database; the key findings include an arsenic metabolism operon, arsR, within the non-KEGG pathways. The results indicate that the arsenic operon is involved with the detoxification of arsenic and could include other heavy metals like lead. This operon signifies a possible resistance to arsenic. This highlights the use of exigubacterium with bioremediation to effectively eradicate heavy metals/pollutants in soil, leading to healthier agricultural environments and practices. This would be a revolutionary success for better soil fertility.