MICROBIAL ENZYME ACTIVITY IN DECOMPOSING LEAVES OF MANGROVES

Abstract

The present work analysed the enzyme activities of the predominant microbial species associated with decomposing mangrove leaves. The microbes were isolated from decomposing leaves of mangroves and the extracellular enzymes such as amylase, protease, cellulase, chitinase and lipase were determined. Senescent leaves of two mangrove species (Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia marina) kept in nylon bags, were separately in two tanks immersed in tidal water for 40 days situated along the intertidal area of the Vellar estuary, south east coast of India. Decomposing leaves were collected every eight days from each tank for isolation and enumeration of different groups of microorganisms. Two genera of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), four species of Lactobacillus, two species of Azotobacter, two species of Actinobacteria, three isolates of fungus, four species of yeasts, two species of Thraustrochytrids and four species of Trichoderma were identified and tested further for their enzyme activity. Fungal isolates, especially Trichoderma species, were found more efficient in producing the extracellular enzymes than the Bacterial isolates, revealing the significance of fungi in detritus-based mangrove systems.