Biodegradation of Microcystins by Bacillus sp. strain EMB

A bacterium strain EMB capable of degrading microcystin-RR and microcystin-LR was isolated from heap of algae in hudai town. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain EMB is identified as a member of the Bacillus sp. Strain EMB is able to completely remove 2.99 mg/L of MC-RR and 2.15 mg/L of MC-LR within 24 h. Further research points out that mlrA, microcystin-degrading gene detected in Sphingomonas sp. MJ-PV, also exists in the genome of strain EMB and probably mediates the microcystins degradtion.