A Comprehensive Metagenomic Analysis Framework Revealing Microbiome Profile and Potential for Hydrocarbon Degradation and Carbohydrate Metabolism in a Himalayan Artificial Lake

The high-altitude lakes are ecological habitats accommodating a vast diversity of microbial populations. These microbes efficient sources for variety enzymes. objective this study is to perform in-depth metagenomic profiling an artificial lake ecosystem located in the Sikkim Himalayan region, deciphering hydrocarbon degradation potential site and mining biocatalysts industrial importance. In present study, analysis lake, North Sikkim, India, was performed. A comprehensive taxonomic functional revealed gene mapped pathways hydrocarbons such as toluene, benzoate, ethylbenzene, etc. This rich iron, investigation genomic signatures iron-reducing bacterium; Geothrix fermentans. appraisal carbohydrate metabolic divulged predominance ?-galactosidase genes. metagenome further compared publicly available saline freshwater lakes. At taxonomic, well levels, it found be closer metagenome, e.g., Medonta Lake, US, Vanda Antarctica. community contribution would beneficial genes encoding various industrially relevant