Identification and characterisation of bacteria from sponges

Abstract

Bacteria associated with sponges are well known relationship. However, the significant of relationship and diversity of the bacteria are still under investigation. In order to understand more about the bacteria associated with sponges, the aims of this study are to isolate and to identify bacteria that associated with marine sponges. The sponges sample ware collected at Karah Island near to Bidong Island Terengganu, Malaysia. The method used in this study were Gram-staining and micromorphology to determine the physical characteristic of isolates and biochemical tests such as Catalase test, Oxidase test, Starch hydrolysis, Sugar fermentation test, Indole production and Voges-Proskauer test to determined its physiological characteristics. Results shows of 83 isolates were identified up to genus levels and 21 isolates were identified at species levels. Four genuses have been identified which were Pseudomonas sp., Aeromonas sp., Neisseria sp. and Serratia sp. Pseudomonas sp. indicated as dominant genus followed by Aeromonas sp., Neisseria sp. and Serratia sp. All isolates were Gram-negative bacteria and in agreement with prev10us finding for the dominant of Gram-negative bacteria associated with marine sponges.