Abstract

Isolation, identification and characterization of novel pigment producing bacteria from distillery spent wash

Author(s): Varsha M.Chaudhari, Arpana H.Jobanputra

An unidentified orange bacterial strain isolated fromdistillery spent wash when characterized for morphological, microscopic, biochemical and molecular features (16SrRNA sequencing) was identified as Planococcus maritimus AHJ_2. Small orange coloniesmeasuring 2-3mmin diameter on Luria Bertani agar mediumwas the striking feature noted in the organism. The bacteriumcould grow over a wide range of media, pH (3.0-11.0) and temperature (20-37°C) but optimal growth and pigmentation was observed in LB medium at pH 7.0 at 37°C containing 0.5 percent NaCl. Spectrophotometric, FTIR and HPLC analysis of pigments revealed the presence of carotenoid type of pigment.