Identification and characterization of a novel coenzyme Q 10-producing strain , Proteus penneri CA 8 , newly isolated from Ebolowa , Cameroon

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is used as an oral prophylaxis and therapy for cardiovascular and mitochondrial respiratory-chain diseases, among others. This study aims to isolate and optimize the culture conditions of novel bacteria with higher coenzyme Q10-production activity. A novel CoQ10-producing bacterial strain, CA8, was isolated from a soil sample from Ebolowa, Cameroon using a selective medium that contained isoprene as the sole carbon source. Morphological, biochemical/physiological, and phylogenetic analyses of the 16s rRNA sequence showed that CA8 belonged to genus Proteus, family Enterobacteriaceae. CA8 had the closest relationship with Proteus penneri among all reported strains. Thus, it was identified as P. penneri CA8. Under optimized culture conditions, the CoQ10 yield of P. penneri CA8 reached 108.2 mg l -1 after 36 h of cultivation in a flask. P. penneri CA8 exhibited potential application in the industrial-scale biotechnological production of CoQ10. This report is the first one on CoQ10 production by Proteus. The potential industrial applications of CoQ10 production by CA8 warrant further exploration.