Yogyakarta, 12th January 2026 — The Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM), through the Biotechnology Program, was conducting strategic research on the molecular characterization of thermophilic bacteria isolated from the Sikidang Crater, Dieng, Central Java. The research is led by Dr. rer. nat. Lucia Dhiantika Witasari as part of the 2025 SPs UGM Research Grant.
The study applied a Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) approach using PacBio technology to identify genes involved in biomass degradation and the production of industrially valuable metabolites. The main isolate, Geobacillus sp. DS3 demonstrated excellent genomic data quality, with a complete level of 98.76 percent and a contamination rate of only 0.49 percent. These findings further strengthen the potential of thermophilic bacteria as superior biocatalysts capable of performing optimally under high-temperature conditions.
According to Dr. Lucia Dhiantika Witasari, the research opened significant opportunities for the utilization of local microbial resources. “Thermophilic bacteria from the Dieng region have considerable potential as sources of thermostable enzymes that can be developed to support more efficient and sustainable industrial processes,” she stated.
This research contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the development of thermostable enzyme-based bioprocess technologies for the food and biomass industries, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) with the utilization of microorganisms to improve production efficiency and reduce biomass waste.
Genome annotation results identified several important genes encoding thermostable enzymes, including aprX (alkaline protease), nprA (neutral protease), amyS (alpha-amylase), apu (amylopullulanase), celA (cellulase), xynA (xylanase), and lipA (lipase).
These enzymes have broad potential for various industrial applications, such as starch hydrolysis, high-temperature food processing, biomass conversion, and the production of metabolites including acetic acid and hydroxybutyrate. Phylogenetic analysis also revealed a close relationship of Geobacillus sp. DS3 and Geobacillus thermoleovorans as well as Geobacillus kaustophilus, further confirming the thermophilic characteristics of the isolate.
SPs UGM, through this research, reaffirms its commitment in promoting innovative research that was relevant to the development of sustainable technologies. The findings are expected to open new opportunities for utilizing local microbial resources as a foundation for strengthening the national biotechnology industry while enhancing the university’s contribution to the achievement of the SDGs.
Source: Lucia Dhiantika W
Editor: Asti Rahmaningrum