Clavispora apidarum f.a., sp. nov., a novel yeast species from the gut of a stingless bee (Hymenoptera – Apidae) producing a biosurfactant with antimicrobial activity
Abstract
IntroductionInsect-associated yeasts represent a potential source of novel species and bioactive compounds. This study investigated the taxonomy and biosurfactant-producing potential of a yeast strain isolated from the gut of stingless bee.MethodsTwenty-seven yeast strains were isolated from insects that were collected from the garden of CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India. Identification and phylogenetic analyses were performed using D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Biosurfactant production was evaluated by surface tension measurement, FTIR, and LC-MS, while antimicrobial activity was assessed against selected bacteria.ResultsTwenty-six isolates belonged to previously described yeast species, whereas strain IIG-5WT represented a putative novel species related to the genus Clavispora. It exhibited 15.7–18.11% sequence divergence from the closely related described species. The closest undescribed relative, Candida sp. MD122, differed by 1.4%. Strain IIG-5WT produced a surface-active biosurfactant. LC-MS analysis revealed a peak at m/z 688, tentatively assigned to diacetylated acidic sophorolipid Ac2LS C18:1. The sophorolipid fraction demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.ConclusionStrain IIG-5WT is proposed as Clavispora apidarum f.a., sp. nov. The holotype is CBS 16296T, with MTCC 12980T and KCTC 37022T as isotypes (MycoBank MB834100).
Related
- An optimized protocol for cytogenetics in stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini).
- Antimicrobial resistance at the animal / environment interface: phenotypic detection and persistence of ESBL and carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales in Irish cattle systems
- Pathogenome and Plasmid-Borne Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotypes in a Multidrug-Resistant O111:H8 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Strain
- Antimicrobial resistance in environment and wastewaters of a swine slaughterhouse – tracking ESKAPE bacteria and ESBL-/carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli
- Antimicrobial resistance and molecular characterization of blaCTX-M-producing Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens in Peru
BibTeX
@article{kumari2026clavispora,
title = {{Clavispora apidarum f.a., sp. nov., a novel yeast species from the gut of a stingless bee (Hymenoptera – Apidae) producing a biosurfactant with antimicrobial activity}},
author = {Alka Kumari and Kanti Nandan Mihooliya and Gandham S. Prasad and Anil Kumar Pinnaka},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1991560},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1991560},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clavispora apidarum f.a., sp. nov., a novel yeast species from the gut of a stingless bee (Hymenoptera – Apidae) producing a biosurfactant with antimicrobial activity
AU - Alka Kumari
AU - Kanti Nandan Mihooliya
AU - Gandham S. Prasad
AU - Anil Kumar Pinnaka
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1991560
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1991560
AB - IntroductionInsect-associated yeasts represent a potential source of novel species and bioactive compounds. This study investigated the taxonomy and biosurfactant-producing potential of a yeast strain isolated from the gut of stingless bee.MethodsTwenty-seven yeast strains were isolated from insects that were collected from the garden of CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India. Identification and phylogenetic analyses were performed using D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Biosurfactant production was evaluated by surface tension measurement, FTIR, and LC-MS, while antimicrobial activity was assessed against selected bacteria.ResultsTwenty-six isolates belonged to previously described yeast species, whereas strain IIG-5WT represented a putative novel species related to the genus Clavispora. It exhibited 15.7–18.11% sequence divergence from the closely related described species. The closest undescribed relative, Candida sp. MD122, differed by 1.4%. Strain IIG-5WT produced a surface-active biosurfactant. LC-MS analysis revealed a peak at m/z 688, tentatively assigned to diacetylated acidic sophorolipid Ac2LS C18:1. The sophorolipid fraction demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.ConclusionStrain IIG-5WT is proposed as Clavispora apidarum f.a., sp. nov. The holotype is CBS 16296T, with MTCC 12980T and KCTC 37022T as isotypes (MycoBank MB834100).
SN - 1664-302X
ER -