article · Frontiers in Microbiology
Bacillus cereus CBS-B5, a bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of sugar beet, was evaluated using a multi-omics approach to investigate its functional potential and biosafety for agriculture. The strain tolerated high salinity, recovered after heat stress, and formed strong biofilms, though it did not solubilise phosphate. Genomic sequencing revealed a complete genome with metabolic versatility, diverse biosynthetic gene clusters, and evidence of horizontal gene transfer affecting roughly 16 percent of the proteome. Metabolomic profiling demonstrated nitrogen recycling, osmoprotection, and the transformation of plant-derived compounds. Although the strain possesses virulence-associated genes and beta-haemolytic activity, its antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants showed limited potential for horizontal transfer. The findings show strong ecological adaptability alongside safety concerns that require further assessment.
Beneficial soil microbes can help crops tolerate harsh conditions, but some strains carry traits that pose health risks. By carefully mapping both the stress-tolerance mechanisms and the safety profiles of bacteria like CBS-B5, researchers can determine whether candidate agricultural microbes can be safely deployed without spreading harmful toxins or drug resistance.
The findings could eventually inform the development of microbial inoculants or biofertilisers for stressed agricultural soils. Prospective users include agricultural biotechnology developers and crop protection companies. However, this is early-stage laboratory and genomic research, and the presence of toxin-associated genes means the strain is distant from real-world application until extensive biosafety evaluations are completed.
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Introduction Bacillus cereus strains have potential plant growth-promoting properties but may harbor virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants. This study characterized the rhizosphere-derived B. cereus CBS-B5 strain to assess its functional potential and biosafety-related features. Methods CBS-B5, isolated from sugar beet rhizosphere, was characterized using an integrated multi-omics approach combining phenotypic assays, whole-genome sequencing, phylogenomic and comparative genomic analyses, and metabolomic profiling. Results CBS-B5 exhibited visible growth under elevated salinity conditions, demonstrated recovery following heat stress exposure, and strong biofilm formation, but no detectable phosphate solubilization. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 5.02 Mb genome with 35% GC content, 100% completeness, and 0.03% contamination. Phylogenomic analysis placed CBS-B5 within the B. cereus group. Comparative genomic and functional analyses indicated genomic stability, metabolic versatility, stress-adaptation potential, and diverse biosynthetic gene clusters. Genome plasticity was supported by the presence of mobile genetic elements and horizontal gene transfer events affecting approximately 16% of the proteome. Metabolomic analysis confirmed active metabolic processes, including nitrogen recycling, osmoprotection, and transformation of plant-derived compounds under laboratory conditions. Although virulence-associated genes, including nheABC, cytK , and inhA , and β-hemolytic activity were detected, AMR and virulence determinants showed limited potential for horizontal dissemination. Similarly, AMR genes exhibited low mobility potential and minimal phenotypic resistance beyond intrinsic traits. Discussion Overall, CBS-B5 combines genomic stability, metabolic flexibility, and ecological adaptability. From a One Health perspective, the genomic analyses suggest a limited potential for horizontal dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants. However, the presence of chromosomally encoded toxin-associated genes and β-hemolytic activity indicates that additional biosafety evaluation is required before agricultural application.
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DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1857756
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