SCREENING OF SECONDARY METABOLITE-PRODUCING BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH CORALS USING 16S rDNA-BASED APPROACH

Ocky Karna Radjasa (Department of Marine Science, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia Center for Tropical Coastal and Marine Studies, Diponegoro University, Widya Puraya, Semarang 50275, Indonesia)
Agus Sabdono (Department of Marine Science, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia Center for Tropical Coastal and Marine Studies, Diponegoro University, Widya Puraya, Semarang 50275, Indonesia)

JOURNAL OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT
Vol 7, No 1 (2003): Volume 7, Number 1, Year 2003

A total of 42 coral-associated bacteria were screened for their ability to produce secondary metabolites by using 16S rDNA-based approach. A specific oligonucleotides primer was used to amplify DNA non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS). Five strains were found to carry the NRPS gene and successfully inhibit the growth of other coral-associated and pathogenic bacteria. The phylogenetic characterization revealed that four strains belonged to currently known species Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea, Vibrio tubiashi, Vibrio carchiariae and Bacillus iodinum. On the other hand, one strain was apparently closely related with an unknown group of the gamma Proteobacteria, which was only recognized as uncultured clone 141H2.