Prediction of Better Deoxyribonucleic Acid Hydrolase Producing Bacterium among Pigmented and Non-pigmented Serratia marcescens Strains from Soil

Kapil D. Kamble    

P.G. Department of Microbiology Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati India.

ABSTRACT: Deoxyribonucleases (DNases) are the enzymes which break down the phosphodiester linkages of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by addition of water and are categorized under hydrolases. They have large applications in almost all fields including therapeutic, industrial and genetic engineering fields. In present study Serratia marcescens strains were screened through a large number of soil samples. These strains were then studied for DNase production on DNase test agar and on the basis of zone of DNA hydrolysis around the colony; efficient two strains, a pigmented and non-pigmented strains were chosen further for comparative study. Attempt was to introduce a better DNase producer of the two strains to avail them for various applications. The morphological and biochemical properties were carried out and the phylogeny of this bacterium by 16S rRNA sequencing was studied in detail. The phylogenetic study and biochemical study confirmed that the strains belong to the genus Serratia marcescens. A quantitative estimation of the DNase was carried out which reveals that the non-pigmented strain is better DNase producing bacterium than the pigmented strain. The optimum conditions for both the strains were studied. Both strains produce the DNase optimally at 20°C and at pH 8. As both strains are isolated from soil; are non-pathogenic and can be handled with less care during the production. Further the pigmented Serratia marcescens produces prodigiosin a red colored pigment which may be responsible for lesser DNase productivity.

KEYWORDS:

DNase production; Phylogenetic study; pigmented and non-pigmented Serratia marcescens

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