INVITRO SCREENING OF SIDEROPHORE PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM ARABIAN SEA OFF THE COAST OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Nayomi John; M Thangavel

Volume : V, Issue : XII, December - 2015

INVITRO SCREENING OF SIDEROPHORE PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM ARABIAN SEA OFF THE COAST OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Nayomi John, M Thangavel

Abstract :

Adaptation of marine bacteria to the harsh environment has lead to a rich biological and genetic diversity. These bacteria can be a potential sources of new bioactive compounds for industrial, environmental, medicinal, pharmaceutical and agricultural uses. The present paper reveals the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of siderophore production by marine bacteria. It was achieved by Chrome Azurol Sulfonate (CAS) assay, a universal siderophore detection method. Formation of orange halos in blue agar plates confirmed the CAS assay. Siderophore and their derivative have large application in agriculture as to increase soil fertility and used as bio–control agents against fungal pathogens. Thus the siderophore producing bacterias were explored as bio–fertilizers to improve the soil fertility and plant growth and offers attractive way to replace chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other growth supplements.