# Genome‐Driven Analysis Reveals the Biotechnological Potential of a Novel Paenibacillus sp. Isolated From Crude Oil

## TL;DR

A new Paenibacillus strain from crude oil has a genome that suggests it can help with biofuel production, bioremediation, and agriculture.

## Contribution

The study presents the complete genome of a novel Paenibacillus sp. strain with biotechnological potential revealed through in silico analysis.

## Key findings

- The genome contains 259 CAZyme genes, indicating strong polysaccharide-degrading capabilities for biofuel production.
- Complete B-vitamin biosynthesis pathways and antimicrobial biosynthetic gene clusters suggest metabolic autonomy and biocontrol potential.
- Incomplete pathways for B2 and K2 vitamins imply possible syntrophic interactions with other microbes.

## Abstract

Microbial biotechnology plays a critical role in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability. Here, we report the complete genome sequencing of Paenibacillus sp. strain 210, previously isolated from Brazilian crude oil and known for its levan metabolism and biosurfactant production. With the sequenced genome, we employed bioinformatics tools for assembly and annotation, followed by comprehensive in silico analyses, including phylogenomics, biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) identification, carbohydrate‐active enzyme (CAZyme) profiling, and metabolic pathway reconstruction. The assembled 5.7 Mb genome harbors four prophage regions and 13 antimicrobial BGCs, including those encoding fusaricidin, paenicidin A, paenilan, paeninodin, and tridecaptin. Phylogenomic analysis combined with average nucleotide identity measurements indicates that this strain does not cluster with any recognized Paenibacillus species, supporting its designation as a potential new species. Notably, the identification of 259 CAZyme genes points to a strong capacity for degrading complex polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose, xylan, and pectin), positioning this bacterium as a promising candidate for biofuel production. Furthermore, the presence of complete metabolic pathways for several B vitamins highlights predicted metabolic autonomy supporting microbial interactions, reinforcing their usefulness in soil bioremediation by enhancing nutrient availability. In contrast, incomplete pathways for vitamins B2 and K2 indicate metabolic dependencies that may facilitate syntrophic interactions with other microorganisms. In silico structural analyses of selected hydrolytic enzymes (GH1, GH5, and GH11) reveal homology to functionally validated and crystallized proteins. Collectively, these findings highlight the genetic versatility of Paenibacillus sp. strain 210 and its potential for ecosystem restoration, biofuel production, plant growth promotion, and biocontrol.

The novel Paenibacillus sp. strain 210, isolated from Brazilian crude oil, its genome encoding 259 carbohydrate‐active enzymes for degrading cellulose, xylan, and pectin, positioning it as a candidate for biofuel production. The strain harbors complete pathways for B‐vitamin biosynthesis and antimicrobial biosynthetic clusters (e.g., fusaricidin and paenilan), alongside plant growth–promoting traits like indole‐3‐acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization, and nitrogen fixation. Phylogenomic and structural analyses confirm its genomic versatility for bioremediation, agriculture, and biocontrol applications.