Isolation and characterization of an exopolymer producing pigmented Pseudomonas sp. from a nuclear desalination plant

Abstract

An attempt was made to identify a pigment producing bacterium AJKPA1, isolated from a nuclear desalination plant. The strain was studied for pigment and exopolymer production and carbohydrate utilization. Further, the susceptibility of the bacterial isolate towards various antibiotics was also investigated. Strain was characterized using various biochemical tests and molecular techniques. The 16S rDNA sequence was submitted to NCBI database and was assigned with the accession No KC333649. Based on the sequence analysis, the strain was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 98% similarity. Strain exhibited important features such as exopolymer, enzyme and pigment production; biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. These various factors are very significant in terms of attributing the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate as an opportunistic pathogen. Isolate demonstrated nutritional versatility which can aid in biodegradation and bioremediation of xenobiotics.