Isolation and characterization of a novel paraffin wax and solid wax degrading endosymbiotic bacteria from Citrus mealy bug (Planococcus citri)

Abstract

Bacterial isolates capable of degrading the paraffin wax and solid wax were isolated from the body of citrus mealy bug. In total nine isolates were isolated but among them only four showed degradation ability by formation of halo on Modified Davis Minimal Agar media and change in colour on Blue spirit agar media. These isolates were identified by 16srRNA and they were Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Pseudomonas putida. The morphological and biological profile of bacterial strains were also identified. The bacterial species showed reduction in residual amount of liquid paraffin and among them Bacillus subtilis (3.421g) becomes more efficient. The incubated samples containing strains viz., Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilisi, Bacillus licehniformis and Pseudomonas putida showed significant reduction in residual weight of solid wax. The highest reduction was observed by Bacillus cereus (66.53%). However, no difference was observed in the residual weight of solid wax in control even after 30 days (0%).