02874nas a2200229 4500008004100000245011900041210006900160260000800229490000700237520206500244653001902309653002302328653001502351653002602366653002302392100001902415700001902434700001902453700002202472700001902494856013102513 2025 eng d00aDeciphering the comprehensive microbiome of glacier-fed Ganges and functional aspects: implications for one health0 aDeciphering the comprehensive microbiome of glacierfed Ganges an cAUG0 v133 a

Glacier-fed rivers are significant ecological components of the river catchments, yet their microbial diversity and the associated antimicrobial potential remain underexplored. The Ganges is a glacier-fed river of immense cultural, religious, and ecological significance that supports over 400 million people downstream, providing essential water for agriculture, industry, and daily use. Despite its importance, the microbial community composition and antimicrobial potential, across its relatively pristine origin, remain largely underexplored. One possible explanation for this could be the lower microbial load in the upstream glacier-fed region, which likely results in a reduced DNA yield, insufficient for whole-metagenome sequencing, in contrast to the more biologically diverse and nutrient-rich lower reaches. In this study, we developed an efficient DNA extraction and amplification method using low-input DNA to sequence the microbiome from sediments of the glacier-fed Ganges River in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon over 2 years. Taxonomic and functional diversity of bacterial and viral (phage) communities were analyzed, together with the seasonal variations in their composition. Significant differences in microbial communities were observed in response to seasonal shifts (P < 0.05). During the dry season, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were predominant, while Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were abundant post-monsoon (P < 0.05). The microbiome harbors potential for the biosynthesis of streptomycin, phenylpropanoid, penicillin, and cephalosporins. Bacteriophages from Podoviridae, Myoviridae, and Siphoviridae showed lytic potential against putrefying and pathogenic bacteria. This first comprehensive study on the glacier-fed Ganges River highlights significant seasonal shifts in microbial diversity. The initial insights into the functional profile of the bacterial and phage diversity offer opportunities to explore various natural compounds and enzymes to tackle antimicrobial resistance under the one-health canopy.

10aBacteriophages10aglacier-fed-Ganges10aMicrobiome10aSecondary metabolites10aspecial properties1 aSamson, Rachel1 aKumar, Shubham1 aDastager, Syed1 aKhairnar, Krishna1 aDharne, Mahesh uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/deciphering-comprehensive-microbiome-glacier-fed-ganges-and-functional-aspects-implications