Antagonistic Effects of Coral Reef Associated Bacteria from South Eastern India

The bacteria isolated from the surface of the corals were found to have an inhibitory effect against 10 human pathogens. It was observed that out of 318 and 345 bacterial strains isolated from the surface of Favites abdita and Turbinaria mesenterina respectively, 12% was found be potent producers with maximum inhibition against Staphyloccus aureus (6 mm) and Streptococcus pneumonia (6 mm). It was observed in that the same percentage (12%) of bacterial strains isolated from Turbinaria mesenterina. Gram-positive, Gram-negative, pigmented and non-pigmented strains were all found to be antibiotic producers without exceptions. However, the antibiotic producing strains consisted of a higher percentage of non-pigmented strains in comparison with that of the pigmented ones, Favites abdita (38/288 strains), Turninaria mesenterina (41/304 strains). These results suggest that the epiphytic bacteria isolated from these corals could be effectively used for the development of novel drugs to combat the pathogens producing diseases to humans.