Characterization of Bioluminescent Bacterial Strain Isolated from Nemipterus japonicus Fish of Arabian Sea

Luminescent bacteria are the most widely distributed organisms among glowing creatures, many of which are found in sea water while some are found in fresh water or terrestrial habitat. Marine micro flora possesses unique features that help them to survive under diverse environmental conditions including high salinity and low pH. Ease of detection is one of the prominent features of these glowing organisms to be the center of attention of many researchers and scientists. The focus of the study is to characterize and identify local Gram negative luminescent bacterial strain isolated from gut of Nemipterus japonicus commonly known as Japanese threadfin bream fish. Isolation, temperature optimization for growth and luminescence, growth curve, MTC for heavy metals and antibiotics were determined. Morphological, Biochemical and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing have been done for the identification of the strain. 16S region was amplified by PCR and subjected to DNA sequencing. The sequence data analysis of the isolated strain showed 98% homology with Vibrio harveyi species. The sequence obtained has been submitted to NCBI under GenBank Accession# KY653092. Characterization of luminescent bacteria facilitates understanding of the environmental differences that favors the stability, survival and proliferation of species in their respective habitat.