Isolation and Characterization of Novel Metal Accumulating Extracellular Protease Secreting Bacteria from Marine Coastal Region of Digha in West Bengal, India

<strong>Problem statement: </strong>The objective of the present piece of work &#13; was to explore the existing biodiversity of protease secreting microbes in a marine &#13; ecosystem, the site selected being the coastal region of West Bengal (Digha), &#13; India. <strong>Approach: </strong>The culture dependent method was used for isolation &#13; and characterization of novel microbes from the point of biotechnological application. &#13; The isolate obtained was characterized on basis of its morphological, biochemical, &#13; physiological properties and finally its molecular identity was revealed through &#13; 16S rDNA analysis. The complete characterization would ease the application of &#13; this isolate for various purposes which would require the understanding of the &#13; detailed properties. <strong>Results:</strong> The isolation was done on milk &#13; medium while further characterization was done in Luria Bertani broth as well &#13; as Carbon Minimal Salt medium. The isolate was found to be DNase & protease &#13; positive, spore forming, Gram-positive bacilli and exhibited growth in wide range &#13; of substrates, temperature [200C-400C] & pH [5.5-10]. The Scanning Electron &#13; Micrograph revealed a unique pililike bridge between every 3-4 bacterial cells, &#13; which indicates the characteristic stacking pattern of growth found in certain &#13; groups of bacteria. Moreover it was found to grow in presence of a wide range &#13; of metals namely iron, lead, mercury, zinc, aluminum, copper, nickel, cadmium &#13; and silver. Energy dispersive X Ray Fluorescence analysis conducted for two of &#13; the metals, chromium and copper indicated the intracellular accumulation of these &#13; metals. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>This property provides potential for its &#13; application in remediation as well as recovery of heavy metals. The isolate with &#13; this property can be a potential candidate to carry out bioaugmentation.