Comprehensive biosafety assessment of plant growth-promoting endophyte Burkholderia contaminans NZ

Abstract

Burkholderia contaminans NZ is a potent candidate for sustainable agriculture because of its ability to promote plant growth and exhibit antifungal activity. Being a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC), however, this bacterium needs thorough biosafety assessment before its application in the environment. In the present study, a comprehensive panel of assays was employed as an integrated approach to evaluate its potential risks to human health and the environment. The dual microbial culture of NZ with Escherichia coli DH5α and Bacillus subtilis 168 showed no antagonism and a cross-streak assay resulted no inhibitory ativity against different jute endophytes e.g., Staphylococcus arlettae, Staphylococcus pasteuri and Micrococcus sp. Exposure of soil nematodes and earthworms to NZ had no significant effect on their survival. Pathogenicity assessments in mice also showed no significant adverse effects on phenotypic behavior or histological characteristics. Overall. our findings demonstrate that B. contaminans NZ does not exhibit adverse effects on the tested non-target model organisms, supporting its potential safety as a bioinoculant for sustainable agricultural practices.

J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 50(3); 391–399: September 2026