Abstract

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MANGROVE ACTINOMYCETES FROM SOIL SAMPLE OF BRUGUIERA CYLINDRICA

T. Janaki*

ABSTRACT

The present study reports the antimicrobial activity of actinomycetes from mangrove soil against gram –ve, + ve bacteria and Candida albicans. There are 20 actinomycetes were isolated by dry heat (70oC) pre-treatment method on Starch casein agar media, from the soil sample of the mangrove Bruguiera cylindrica (Blume)-Rhizophoraceae from the back water area, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry (UT). All the 20 actinomycetes were subjected for primary screening against the 10 gram negative bacteria, 2 gram positive bacteria by agar plug method. Totally 15 (75%) actinomycetes showed antibacterial activity towards any one of the tested bacteria, 5 (25%) of actinomycetes showed no antagonistic activity. Only 4 actinomycetes were selected from primary screening and that were subjected for secondary screening. The total percentage of inhibition by actinomycetes against bacteria in secondary screening was noted as E.coli-25%, K. pneumoniae-0%, P.vulgaris-0%, P.aeruginosa-100%, S.typhi-25%, S.flexneri-50%, V.cholera-0%, B.bronchiseptica-75%, P.fluorescens-0%, E.faecalis-25%, B.subtilis-100%, S.aureus-0%. Out of 20 isolates from Bruguiera cylindrica, 8 (40%) were active and 12 (60%) were inactive for the Candida albicans. 3 isolates from Bruguiera cylindrica with strong anticandida activity were selected. The three active antagonistic actinomycetes that were very good in inhibiting the growth of both bacteria and candida were selected for broad spectrum antimicrobial activity by cross streak method.

Keywords: Pretreatment, Antimicrobial activity, Bruguiera cylindrica, Mangrove Back water.