Isolation of marine bacteria, antagonistic to human pathogens

Abstract

Pigmented bacteria from marine samples including seawater, sediment, seaplants, bivalves and submerged substrates of the Tuticorin coast were screened for the antibacterial activity. Of the 162 pigmented bacteria, 62 exhibited antagonism towards the indicator organisms Lactobacillus, Arthrobacter and Micrococcus. Alteromonas was the dominant antagonistic marine bacteria, exhibiting a wide antibacterial spectrum against the human pathogens associated with seafoods such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae. Results indicated that antibacterial substances present in the antagonistic marine bacteria could be used to inhibit the growth of human pathogens.