Identification endophytic microorganisms from cranberry and lingonberry fruits by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

Endophytes are typically defined as microorganisms that inhabit the plant endosphere asymptomatically. They play specific roles in plant growth promotion and protection. Endophytic microbes may help with nutrient acquisition, produce growth-enhancing hormones and fungicides. Cranberry and lingonberry fruits are consumed worldwide. They are also widely studied for their bioactive compounds. However, their endomicrobiota is not well studied, especially endophytes contained in the berries. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy (SERS) is widely used for the detection of biomolecules - metabolites, nucleic acids, proteins. Also can be used for the identification of microorganisms, cell characterization and determining information about the cell wall or intracellular metabolites and molecules. The aim of this study was to isolate endophytic microorganisms from wild-grown cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccus) and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and to identify their molecular composition using SERS. In this study five microorganisms were isolated from cranberry fruit and one microorganism from lingonberry fruit: Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus caprae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus stratosphericus and Bacillus xiamenensis.