ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION OF SERRATIAMARCESCENS FROM MARINE SEDIMENTS AND EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Prodigiosin is a secondary metabolite and an alkaloid with a unique tripyrrole chemical structure, red in colour, isolated mainly from Serratia marcescens prodigiosin. The present study was focused to isolate prodigiosin pigment from Marine Serratia marcescens and to evaluate potentials importance. In the present investigation, prodigiosin producing microorganisms were isolated from the Marine sediment collected from Mandapam coast, Gulf of Mannar. The presumptive test for prodigiosin production was done with two morphologically orange to maroon coloured colonies, among only one isolate revealed positive result for prodigiosin production. The efficient prodigiosin production bacterium was identified as Serratia marcescens. The results were compared in accordance with the Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology. The production of prodigiosin was formed in nutrient broth and peptone glycerol broth in both shaking and static condition. The production level was maximum at 72hrs. The total prodigiosin was found to be higher in nutrient broth compared to peptone glycerol broth. Serratia marcescens was evaluated for antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The effects of pH, temperature carbon and nitrogen sources on prodigiosin production were studied. It was found that sucrose and yeast extract were the best carbon and nitrogen sources for prodigiosin production whereas the maximum prodigiosin production was observed in pH 8 and temperature 28˚C. Prodigiosin was found to be efficient against bacterial and fungal pathogens studied. The pigment produced by Serratia sp., can be effectively used to dye textile material.