Abstract

CHARACTERIZATION OF EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES AND BIOFILM PRODUCING BACTERIAL STRAINS ISOLATED FROM MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF NIJAMPATNAM

*G. Venkatalakshmi

Abstract

A total of ten bacterial isolates were used for this study and the soil samples were collected from mangrove areas of Nijampatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Isolation procedures were carried out by using nutrient agar medium (NAM). Marine water was used for the biofilm forming bacterial isolation. A biofilm forming device was made by using PVC pipes with sterile glass slides. Ten morphologically different bacteria were isolated from the scrapping of glass slides from the device after a month period of time. Morphological characterization was done by all these isolates. The present ten isolates are Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Micrococci, Klebsiella sp.1 Klebsiella sp.2, E. coli, Enterobacter, Proteus sp.1, Proteus sp.2, and Citrobacter are morphologically different. Maximum colony size 8 mm was recorded in Enterobacter and Proteus sp.1. The efficiency of EPS and biofilm production was checked for 24 to 96 hours of incubation period. After 72hours of incubation maximum exopolysacharide (96 mg/100ml) and Biofilm (98 mg/100ml) production was recorded in Enterobacter. Biofilms have the ability to bear a high concentration of antimicrobial agents. Bacterial biofilm may play a role in the pathogenesis of disease has led to an increased focus on identifying diseases that may be biofilm-related.

Keywords: Biofilms, Exopolysaccharide, Mangrove soils, Nutrient Agar Medium.