Survey on Halophilic microbial diversity of Kovalam Saltpans in Kanyakumari District and its industrial applications.

ABSTRACT

Halophilic microorganisms are organisms that grow optimally in the presence of NaCl at least 0.2 M. The applications of halophilic bacteria include food and pharmaceutical industries, production of enzymes, polymers and various cosmetic products. The objective of the study was isolation and its characterization of potentially important microorganisms from saltpans. In this preliminary investigation, the total microbial counts were studied from the salt sample at three month intervals for one year. Totally 9 organisms were identified based on standard cultural, physiological and biochemical studies. These strains were subjected to screening of potential enzymes such as; amylase, protease, gelatinase, etc. The organisms Natranobacterium sp-1, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus citreus showed positive for amylase; Halo bacillus salinus, Halococcus salifodinae, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus intermedius showed positive for protease; Halobacillus salinus, Halobacterium salinarum, Natranobacterium sp-1, Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus citreus showed positive for gelatinase activity.