Heavy metal resistant bacteria associated with the black clam Villorita cyprinoides var cochinensis (Hanley) and water collected from Cochin backwater

摘要

A total of 147 strains of heterotrophic bacteria, isolated from water and the black clamudVillorlia cyprinoides var conchinensis from Cochin backwater were subjected to heavy metal sensitivityudtests for five heavy metals viz. mercury. zinc, cadmium, copper and lead. In general, the isolates fromudwater showed higher resistance towards the heavy metals. Members of all the genera except Coryneformudgroup showed similar trend of resistance. The strains of Coryneform group isolated from animals wereudmore resistant than their counterparts isolated from water. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ofudthe metals varied. It may be concluded from the results that the habitat of the organisms plays a uniqueudrole in the ecology of heavy metal resistant bacteria.