Diversity and decolorization potential of fungi isolated from the coral reef regions off Kavaratti, India.

Abstract

Forty-six marine-derived fungi were isolated from sea water, sand, sea grass and coral mucus collected from the coral reef regions off Kavaratti, Lakshadweep Islands, Arabian Sea. Of these, six cultures were screened for their extra-cellular enzymes and decolorization potential by qualitative plate assay method. A basidiomycete isolate F-38 was identified as the most potential fungus as it exhibited maximum cellulase, xylanase, laccase and decolorization activity on plate assay. It has maximum similarity with <i>Pseudoglarobasidium acaciicola </i>based on the BLASTn analysis of its ITS rDNA gene sequence. The isolate was able to decolorize Poly-R at three different concentrations; 40, 80 and 120 mg L^-1 up to 82%, 35% and 30% respectively. Major lignin degrading enzymes such as laccase, MnP and LiP activity was determined in the culture filtrate. The culture could also grow on corncob, utilizing it as a nutrient source and effectively decolorized Poly-R (40 mg L^-1) and the laccase activity increased a thousand fold.