Seafoam bacteria from the Havelock island of the Andamans, India

摘要

Present investigation was carried out to study the total heterotrophic and pathogenic bacteria from the seafoam samples of the Havelock coast, Andamans. In this study, 38 strains were isolated and 9 genera viz. Escherichia, Enterococcus, Aeromonas, Vibrio, Salmonella, Klebsella, Streptococcus, Shigella and Pseudomonas were identified. Among the 38 isolates, 11 isolates were selected based on the colony morphology and identified upto species level. Population density of THB was higher in Zobell Marine agar (86 x 10(5) CFU ml(-1)) and among the THB, E. coli recorded higher density (57 x 10(5) CFU mL(-1)). This study reveals the presence of THB and pathogenic bacteria in the seafoam; the latter being a signal to the coastal pollution of the island. Moreover, this study is the first of its kind in the Andaman waters of India and it would pave way for future workers to elucidate the role of THB and pathogenic bacteria in the seafoam formation.