Characterisation of yeast and filamentous fungi from Brøggerbreen glaciers, Svalbard

Cryoconite holes have ecological and biotechnological importance. This article presents results on culturable cryophilic yeasts and filamentous fungi isolated from cryoconite holes at Austre and Vestre Broggerbreen glaciers, Svalbard. Based on DNA sequence data, these were identified as Rhodotorula sp., Thelebolus sp., and Articulospora tetracladia. Amongst these, Articulospora tetracladia (88.7–89.4% gene similarity with 5.8S rDNA) is a novel species, yet to be described. Filamentous fungus Articulospora sp. Cry-FB1 and Cry-FB2, expressed high amylase, cellulase, lipase and protease activities while yeast Rhodotorula sp. Cry-FB3 showed high amylase and cellulase activity. Thelebolus sp. Cry-YB 240 and Cry-YB 241 showed protease and urease activities. The effects of temperature, and salt on the growth of the cultures were studied. Optimum temperature of growth was on 10oC at pH 7.0. Filamentous fungi and yeast in the cryoconite holes possibly drive the process of organic macromolecule degradation through cold-adapted enzyme secretion, thereby assisting in nutrient cycling in these supraglacial environments. Further, these cryophilic fungi, due to their enzyme producing ability, may provide an opportunity for biotechnological research in the Arctic.