Apirak WiseschartWuttichai MhuanthongPattamaporn ThongkamSithichoke TangphatsornruangDuriya ChantasinghKusol PootanakitSilpakorn UniversityMahidol UniversityThailand National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology2019-08-232019-08-232018-07-03Geomicrobiology Journal. Vol.35, No.6 (2018), 518-52715210529014904512-s2.0-85042078419https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/45737© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. A subterranean limestone cave, Manao-Pee, was investigated for bacterial diversity and potential secondary metabolites production. Comparative 16 S rRNA analysis revealed that cave soil was highly dominated by Actinobacteria; whereas, Proteobacteria was highly abundant outside the cave. As Actinobacteria are biotechnologically valuable for their secondary metabolites, the diversity of the β-ketoacyl synthase (KSβ) was investigated. The results showed that the identified KSβhas 61–80% amino acid sequence identity to known sequences. Phylogenetic analysis placed some of the sequences in novel clades, suggesting the presence of novel KSβdomains. Thus, Manao-Pee cave is a promising habitat to discover potential novel bioactive compounds.Mahidol UniversityEarth and Planetary SciencesEnvironmental ScienceImmunology and MicrobiologyArticleSCOPUS10.1080/01490451.2017.1411993