Antibacterial activity and genomic characterisation of a novel Brevibacillus laterosporus XJ-24-3 isolated from Xinjiang, China

Abstract Introduction Brevibacillus laterosporus is a significant probiotic with notable antimicrobial activity. This study employs a genome-guided discovery strategy to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and antimicrobial potential of a novel B. laterosporus isolate against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Material and Methods A B. laterosporus strain designated XJ-24-3 was isolated from the soil of a pasture area in Xinjiang, China using the dilution plate method. The XJ-24-3 isolate was identified and characterised by morphology, biochemical properties and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results The bacterium exhibited bactericidal activity against diverse foodborne pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Functional genome annotation revealed catalytic activity and molecular binding domains, signifying energy metabolism and environmental adaptability. Carbohydrate-Active Enzyme profiling demonstrated polysaccharide-processing proficiency, corroborated by Cluster of Orthologous Groups classification finding numerous instances of metabolic gene enrichment. Transporter Classification Database analysis indicated the strain predominantly employed active transport mechanisms for substrate translocation. Bioinformatic mining predicted biosynthetic potential for antimicrobial compounds – bogorol A, laterosporulin and linear azol(in)e-containing peptides – positing XJ-24-3 as a promising source of novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Conclusion This study elucidated the genomic characteristics of the novel XJ-24-3 isolate and uncovered the genetic basis for its antibacterial properties, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the development of novel antibacterial proteins.