Process Optimization for the Production of Antimicrobial Compounds from Marine Sponge Associated Bacteria Rhodopseudomonas palustris MSB 55

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria has become a serious problem. Therefore, the search for new antibiotics is an important endeavour and is very much needed. Around 57 morphologically different bacteria isolated from marine sponge Axinella donani were screened for antimicrobial activity and enzyme producing ability. Among the 57 isolates, only two strains were more efficient to produce valuable primary and secondary metabolites. The present study is preceded with only one isolate to determine process optimization procedures for the production of bioactive compounds using sponge associated bacteria Rhodopseudomonas palustris MSB 55. The conditions were incubation period 72 hours, pH 8.5 and temperature 25°C. Aeration also played a significant role in terms of product formation. Agitation speed of 150 rpm showed maximum yield. Secondary metabolites had showed broad-spectrum activity against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Hence, the new strain associated with sponge R.palustris MSB 55 can serve as a source of antimicrobials.