A novel Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming, motile, aerobic bacterium, designated as P2^T, was isolated from a hot spring water sample collected from Ilica-Erzurum, Turkey. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons affiliated strain P2^T with the genus Bacillus , and the strain showed the highest sequence identity to Bacillus azotoformans NBRC 15712^T (96.7 %). However, the pairwise sequence comparisons of the 16S rRNA genes revealed that strain P2^T shared only 94.7 % sequence identity with Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis NCIB 3610^T, indicating that strain P2^T might not be a member of the genus Bacillus . The digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain P2^T and B. azotoformans NBRC 15712^T were 19.8 and 74.2 %, respectively. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain P2^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an aminophospholipid, five unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids while the predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15 : 0 and iso-C_16 : 0. The draft genome of strain P2^T was composed of 82 contigs and found to be 3.5 Mb with 36.1 mol% G+C content. The results of phylogenomic and phenotypic analyses revealed that strain P2^T represents a novel genus in the family Bacillaceae , for which the name Calidifontibacillus erzurumensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Calidifontibacillus erzurumensis is P2^T (=CECT 9886^T=DSM 107530^T=NCCB 100675^T). Based on the results of the present study, it is also suggested that Bacillus azotoformans and Bacillus oryziterrae should be transferred to this novel genus as Calidifontibacillus azotoformans comb. nov. and Calidifontibacillus oryziterrae comb. nov., respectively.

A Gram-reaction-positive, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain P1^T, was isolated from water samples collected from Pasinler Hot Spring and characterized using a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. Strain P1^T was found to have chemotaxonomic and morphological characteristics consistent with its classification in the genus Bacillus . The strain shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity values with Bacillus thermolactis R-6488^T (97.6 %) and Bacillus kokeshiiformis MO-04^T (97.2 %) and formed a distinct clade with both type strains in the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Strain P1^T could grow optimally at 55 °C and in the presence of 2 % NaCl. The organism was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone was determined to be MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15 : 0, iso-C_17 : 0 and anteiso-C_17 : 0. Based upon the consensus of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain P1^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which the name Bacillus pasinlerensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P1^T (=DSM 107529^T=CECT 9885^T=NCCB 100674^T).

In this study, the isolation of lactic acid bacteria was carried out from one hundred white cheese samples collected from different regions of Turkey. Subsequently, phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the isolates was performed. Biochemical characteristics of the isolates were determined by API 50CHL. Furthermore, the biotechnological enzyme production potential of the isolates was screened. Genomic fingerprint profiles of the test isolates were detected by using rep-PCR (BOX-PCR), which has been used successfully in the differentiation of microorganisms at the species, subspecies, and even strain levels. The results showed that a total of forty-one bacteria were isolated and seventeen of which are found to be different species. The isolates generally grew at 4-6 pH values, 0-8% NaCl and 30-40°C. Later, isolates thought to be different species were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. According to 16S rRNA sequence results, MA56 showed a 96.41% similarity match to Lentilactobacillus buchneri, it is thought to be a new species. In addition, MA19, MA25, MA43, and MA47 were determined to have multi-enzyme production potential. MA43 has a plantaricin gene and it showed a high antagonistic effect on Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43888 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. Inhibition zones were measured at 19 mm and 16 mm respectively.

Cellulose is considered to be an alternative form of energy, and has recently gained significance representing millions of dollars for countries that have the opportunity to obtain energy from it. At the same time, cellulosic biomaterials are attractive since they are both cheap and abundant. To use this important resource, its stubborn structure must be broken down. Rumen bacteria are regarded as unique for this job. In this study, 17 cellulolytic bacteria were isolated from rumen samples collected from Erzurum slaughterhouses. Three bacteria (OZ2, OZ5, OZ17) with maximum enzyme activity were identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene region. As a result of the sequence analysis, it was determined that isolates belong to Streptomyces ambofaciens OZ2, Cytobacillus oceanisediminis OZ5, and Streptomyces violaceochromogenes OZ17. Then, cellulase production potentials of these identified bacteria were investigated as single and co-cultures. The co-culture of OZ2 and OZ5 demonstrated the best cellulase activity (26 U/mL). As a result of the optimization studies for the co-culture of OZ2 and OZ5, the best culture conditions were 3 g/L yeast extract, 60 h incubation time, pH 6, and temperature 35 °C. Under optimized conditions, the cellulase enzyme activity increased approximately 3.5-fold to 56 U/mL.

Millions of tons of agricultural waste are produced globally every year. A practical solution to this global problem is to convert this waste into value-added products. In this study, endoglucanase enzyme production was carried out by using waste melon peels as a carbon source. To use this important resource, its stubborn structure must be broken down. Rumen bacteria are regarded as unique for this job. Therefore, firstly endoglucanase producing rumen bacteria was isolated and the bacteria with the best activity (OB24) were identified by molecular methods (16S rRNA gene squencing). As a result of the sequence analysis, it was determined that isolate belonged to Exiguobacterium mexicanum. Then, by optimizing the culture conditions, the enzyme production potential was increased. The optimal conditions were determined as 50 g/L MPP, 2g/L yeast extract, 60 h incubation time, pH: 6.0, and 40°C temperature. Under optimized conditions the enzyme activity increased approximately 3.8-fold.