Genomic Characterization and Environmental Adaptability of Burkholderia cenocepacia Isolated from Commercial Liquid Soap in Bangladesh

Abstract Commercial liquid soaps may harbor opportunistic pathogens such as Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC), yet genome-scale characterization of soap-associated BCC isolates remains limited in South Asia. In this study, a bacterial isolate, designated DG4, was recovered from a commercial liquid detergent and characterized using phenotypic, biochemical, whole-genome, and comparative genomic approaches. The isolate exhibited substantial growth under alkaline conditions, with optimum growth observed at pH 8 and detectable growth up to pH 10, while growth was severely restricted at pH 11–12. The isolate was catalase and lipase-positive and its crude supernatant demonstrated surface-active properties, producing a 1.08 ± 0.10 cm oil-displacement zone and an emulsification index (E24) of 53.07 ± 0.11%. The strain also exhibited strong biofilm-forming ability, with an OD570 of 0.508 ± 0.00. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 7.89-Mb draft genome comprising 459 contigs, with 67.16% GC content and 40× sequencing coverage. Genome-based taxonomic analyses, including ANI and phylogenetic analysis, identified DG4 as Burkholderia cenocepacia , with an ANI of 98.28% against the reference strain B. cenocepacia J2315 genome. Multilocus sequence typing revealed a potential novel allelic profile not assigned to a previously recognized sequence type. Genome annotation identified 7,964 coding sequences, including genes associated with stress adaptation, membrane transport, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and diverse metabolic pathways. The genome contained multiple resistance determinants, including adeF , amrA , qacG , OXA-1142 , PEN-B1 , and a vanF -associated vanH gene. PathogenFinder predicted a human pathogenicity probability of 0.9819. In addition, numerous genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation, aromatic compound metabolism, desulfurization, and biosurfactant-associated functions were identified, supporting considerable bioremediation potential. AntiSMASH analysis detected 21 biosynthetic gene clusters, while prophage, mobile genetic element, and CRISPR-Cas analyses demonstrated substantial genomic plasticity and defense capacity. Comparative orthologous analysis revealed a conserved core genome of 5,243 gene clusters and only 14 DG4-specific clusters among six B. cenocepacia genomes. Commercial liquid detergent can harbor environmentally adapted B. cenocepacia with clinically relevant resistance and virulence determinants. These findings emphasize the importance of microbiological quality control and AMR surveillance of personal care products while highlighting the strain's potential for bioremediation research.