Comparative analysis of milk fat decomposition activity by Mrakia spp. isolated from Skarvsnes ice-free area, East Antarctica

Milk fat curdle is difficult to remove from sewage. In an attempt to identify an appropriate agent for bio-remediation of milk fat curdle, Mrakia strains were collected from the Skarvsnes ice-free area of Antarctica. A total of 27 strains were isolated and tested for their ability to decompose milk fat at temperatures ranging from 4 °C to 15 °C. All strains could decompose milk fat at 4 °C and 10 °C. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the decomposition ability of milk fat (DAMF) revealed that the DAMF may be useful for predicting the outcome of phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences.