Enzymatic Profile of Actinobacteria Across a Desertification Gradient in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the enzymatic profile for xylanase, amylase, cellulase and pectinase in areas with different levels of desertification, in order to investigate how this process influences the enzymatic variation of actinobacteria.   Method: Soil samples were collected from areas susceptible to desertification with different levels of vegetation cover in the Brazilian semiarid region. The enzymatic activities of 46 actinobacterial strains isolated from these areas were evaluated using specific culture media. Enzymatic indices were calculated and correlated with soil physicochemical properties.   Results: There was a significant difference in enzymatic activity according to the desertification gradient. Xylanase exhibited the highest enzymatic index, followed by pectinase, amylase and cellulase. The open area showed better performance for xylan degradation, indicating that lack of vegetation cover and low nutrient availability influenced this enzymatic activity.   Conclusion: The actinobacterial strains have potential for producing functional enzymes across a desertification gradient. Xylanase was the most frequent, suggesting adaptation of actinobacteria to degradation of complex plant polysaccharides in nutrient deprived soils.