Análise metagenômica da enzima alfa-amilase em quatro diferentes tipos de manejo de solo e mata nativa

Abstract

Enzymes are vital as biocatalysts in various industries, driving research for new enzymes to improve processes and sustainability. α-Amylase is an endo-amylase that hydrolyzes internal α-1,4 linkages in the starch molecule, with the main product being linear and branched dextrins (oligosaccharides). Amylases account for 30% of global enzyme production, with a significant role in the food industry due to starch modification. In this study, the focus was on investigating potential variations in the microbial community involved in α-amylase production in soil samples subjected to different management practices and native forest. The field study was conducted at Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, located in Dourados, MS, where soil samples were collected from different areas representing native forest and four distinct management types: continuous pasture, no-till farming, crop-livestock integration, and conventional farming. DNA sequences generated from NGS sequencing using the Shotgun method were used for local alignment with a database formatted for the α-amylase enzyme from the Identical Protein Groups database. The metagenomic analysis allowed for the exploration of microbial diversity and their enzymatic capabilities without relying on laboratory cultivation. The results were analyzed using MEGAN, STAMP, and Interacti Venn software, where it was possible to conduct taxonomic analyses, verify microorganisms producing the α-amylase enzyme, and perform pairwise statistical analysis of soil samples. The α-amylase enzyme was found in all soil samples, with significant statistical differences observed among the different soil management types, which were analyzed at the phylum and species levels.