Bioactive Novel Natural Products from Marine Sponge: Associated Fungi

Marine sponges are distributed in the water, from the intertidal zones to thousands of meters deep. They are primitive multicellular invertebrates that live in benthic environments and are bound to solid substrates. Filter feeders, sponges have many microscopic pores on their surface, which allow water to enter and circulate via a network of canals where microbes and organic particles are filtered out and absorbed. Marine fungi are widespread in the oceans and colonize different ecological niches; they are found associated with organisms of all trophic levels and can act as saprobes, symbionts, and parasites. Compared with other marine microorganisms, marine fungus is relatively understudied. Fungi associated with sponges have been discovered to be a promising source of pharmacologically active compounds with unique anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties

Effect of salinity, temperature, pH and crude oil concentration on biodegradation of crude oil by pseudomonas aeruginosa

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of culture conditions on biodegradation of crude oil by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa was isolated from sea water using Bushnell Haas agar supplemented with 0.1% crude oil. The strain was cultured at different temperature, pH a salinity and crude oil concentrations. Maximum growth and biodegradation occurred at 38oC, pH 8.0, 35‰ and 2.0% of crude oil. Addition of fertilizer at 0.1% concentration resulted increase in growth and biodegradation rate. Emulsification experiment revealed that P. aeruginosa showed good emulsification activity against waste motor lubricant oil, crude oil, peanut oil, diesel, kerosene, naphthalene, anthracene and xylene. Results obtained from the biodegradation experiments at different culture condition revealed that, each factor is having significant impact on biodegradation. Biodegradation of crude oil and emulsification of eight different hydrocarbons by P. aeruginosa indicated the potentiality of the strain

Larvicidal and anti-termite activities of microbial biosurfactant produced by Enterobacter cloacae SJ2 isolated from marine sponge Clathria sp.

Abstract The widespread use of synthetic pesticides has resulted in a number of issues, including a rise in insecticide-resistant organisms, environmental degradation, and a hazard to human health. As a result, new microbial derived insecticides that are safe for human health and the environment are urgently needed. In this study, rhamnolipid biosurfactants produced from Enterobacter cloacae SJ2 was used to evaluate the toxicity towards mosquito larvae (Culex quinquefasciatus) and termites (Odontotermes obesus). Results showed dose dependent mortality rate was observed between the treatments. The 48 h LC50 (median lethal concentration) values of the biosurfactant were determined for termite and mosquito larvae following the non-linear regression curve fit method. Results showed larvicidal activity and anti-termite activity of biosurfactants with 48 h LC50 value (95% confidence interval) of 26.49 mg/L (25.40 to 27.57) and 33.43 mg/L (31.09 to 35.68), respectively. According to a histopathological investigation, the biosurfactant treatment caused substantial tissue damage in cellular organelles of larvae and termites. The findings of this study suggest that the microbial biosurfactant produced by E. cloacae SJ2 is an excellent and potentially effective agent for controlling Cx. quinquefasciatus and O. obesus