Thermophilic bacteria, especially from the genus Bacillus, constitute a huge potential source of novel enzymes that could be relevant for biotechnological applications. In this work, we described the cellulose and hemicellulose-related enzymatic activities of the hot spring Bacillus aerius CCMM B940 from the Moroccan Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (CCMM), and revealed its potential for hemicellulosic biomass utilization. Indeed, B940 was able to degrade complex polysaccharides such as xylan and lichenan and exhibited activity towards carboxymethylcellulose. The strain was also able to grow on agriculture waste such as orange and apple peels as the sole carbon source. Whole-genome sequencing allowed the reclassification of CCMM B940 previously known as B. aerius into Bacillus paralicheniformis since the former species name has been rejected. The draft genome reported here is composed of 38 contigs resulting in a genome of 4,315,004 bp and an average G + C content of 45.87%, and is an important resource for illuminating the molecular mechanisms of carbohydrate metabolism. The annotated genomic sequences evidenced more than 52 genes encoding glycoside hydrolases and pectate lyases belonging to 27 different families of CAZymes that are involved in the degradation of plant cell wall carbohydrates. Genomic predictions in addition to in vitro experiments have revealed broad hydrolytic capabilities of the strain, thus reinforcing its relevance for biotechnology applications.

嗜热细菌，特别是来自芽孢杆菌属的细菌，构成了可能与生物技术应用相关的新型酶的巨大潜在来源。在这项工作中，我们描述了来自摩洛哥微生物协调保藏中心 (CCMM)的温泉Bacillus aerius CCMM B940的纤维素和半纤维素相关酶活性，并揭示了其在半纤维素生物质利用方面的潜力。事实上，B940 能够降解复杂的多糖，如木聚糖和地衣多糖，并表现出对羧甲基纤维素的活性。该菌株还能够以橙皮和苹果皮等农业废弃物作为唯一碳源生长。全基因组测序允许重新分类以前称为B. aerius的 CCMM B940进入副地芽孢杆菌，因为以前的物种名称已被拒绝。本文报道的基因组草图由 38 个重叠群组成，基因组长度为 4,315,004 bp，平均 G + C 含量为 45.87%，是阐明碳水化合物代谢分子机制的重要资源。注释的基因组序列证明了超过 52 个基因编码糖苷水解酶和果胶酸裂合酶，这些基因属于 27 个不同的 CAZymes 家族，它们参与植物细胞壁碳水化合物的降解。除了体外实验外，基因组预测还揭示了该菌株的广泛水解能力，从而加强了其与生物技术应用的相关性。