Screening and tentative identification of bioluminescence producing bacteria in fish

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to increase the availability of the sources for the detection methods because of its easy handling. The concept can prove useful for developing future torch lights and marker gene in the field of genetic engineering. For this the sample was collected from the Vellore fish market. The light producing organism was isolated from the fish fins, gut, head and tail. We were able to find the desired organism predominantly from gut and little from fins and area around the head. The organism was physically and biochemically characterized. Results showed the presence of the rod shaped gram positive bacteria with the feature of catalase positive and Indole negative. Spinach and marigold act as the most apposite substrate for the luciferin determination by using luciferase as the enzyme. The organism was sequenced giving the result of the presence of the Kurthia sp. which grows well at temperature 22-35 0C and pH 6 - 7.5.