openGenomic and functional insights into aromatic compound degradation by Delftia strain PS-11 isolated from freshwater pufferfishRitu RaniArchana KujurauthorSushantaDebauthorTanmoyDebnathauthorSandeshPapadeauthorPrashant SPhaleauthorSubrata KDasauthorThis study describes the functional genomic features and aromatic compound degradation potential of Delftia strain PS-11, isolated from the skin mucus of a freshwater pufferfish (Tetraodon cutcutia). Whole-genome sequence analysis of strain PS-11 revealed genetic attributes associated with species distinctiveness. The overall genome-relatedness indices, such as in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, are below 70%, and average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity were below the threshold value, that is, 95% to 96%, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis based on genome-wide core genes showed that strain PS-11 clustered with Delftia acidovorans NBRC 14950T. Furthermore, genome analysis identified multiple gene clusters involved in the degradation of aromatic compounds, including phenol, benzoic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid. We determined the specific activities of key metabolic enzymes in cell-free extracts, including catechol-1,2-dioxygenase, catechol-2,3-dioxygenase, protocatechuic acid 4,5-dioxygenase, and gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase. To our knowledge, the presence of Delftia strains associated with pufferfish has not been reported previously. These findings suggest that members of this genus occupy a broader and more diverse range of ecological habitats than previously recognized and may play a potential role in the remediation of aromatic pollutants.IMPORTANCEDelftia strain PS-11 described in this study associated with freshwater pufferfish skin is capable of degrading aromatic compounds. Gene clusters in the form of operons involved in degradation of phenol, benzoic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid were present. Enzymatic studies support the proposed degradation pathways. Our study suggests that the presence of xenobiotics-degrading Delftia strain in the skin of pufferfish adds a new ecological niche to this bacteria. The observed metabolic pathway in the degradation of aromatic compounds indicates niche-specific adaptive evolution for this bacterium.QR Microbiology2026-04-01American Society for MicrobiologyArticle

For work being deposited by its own author: In self-archiving this collection of files and associated bibliographic metadata, I grant open the right to store them and to make them permanently available publicly for free on-line. I declare that this material is my own intellectual property and I understand that open does not assume any responsibility if there is any breach of copyright in distributing these files or metadata. (All authors are urged to prominently assert their copyright on the title page of their work.)

For work being deposited by someone other than its author: I hereby declare that the collection of files and associated bibliographic metadata that I am archiving at open) is in the public domain. If this is not the case, I accept full responsibility for any breach of copyright that distributing these files or metadata may entail.

Clicking on the deposit button indicates your agreement to these terms.