STUDY OF EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE EXTRACTED FROM KLEBSIELLA SPP. ISOLATED FROM THE GUT OF POECILIA SPHENOPS

Meghna Sudhesh and *Dr. V. Judia Harriet Sumathy

ABSTRACT

The normal microflora of aquatic organisms occupies vital niches on the surface of the body and in the digestive tract, thus preventing intrusion of pathogenic microorganisms. Microflora of the digestive tract of fish and shellfish plays an important role in the formation of resistance to infectious diseases. Intestinal microbes help maintain host health. Recent studies have shown tight connection between microbial population in gut and different health disorders. The microbial diversity of the digestive tract of fish participates in the secretion of enzymes, polysaccharides, vitamins, amino acids and other physiologically active materials and, therefore, is necessary for normal metabolism of an organism. Gastrointestinal microorganisms feed on the food of the macroorganism which is digested by the enzymes produced by them and by the latter. As a result, chymous is formed, the composition of which decides the abundance and qualitative composition of communities of gastrointestinal microorganisms. The present study is aimed at extracting Exopolysaccharide from Klebsiella spp from the gut of Poecilia sphenops by precipitating it in isopropanol and by identifying it using staining and biochemical tests. Furthermore Total sugars by Phenol-sulphuric acid method, Total protein content by Lowry‟s protein estimation method, Exopolysaccharide Characterization by FT-IR spectroscopy forms the other components of the study. The EPS extracted is utilised for emulsification of hydrocarbons and water and also for immobilisation of the mother organism.

Keywords: EPS, Klebsiella spp, Poecilia sphenops, Immobilization and Emulsification.