MORPHOLOGICAL , BIOCHEMICAL AND GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF SERRATIA STRAINS ISOLATED FROM SARDINE (SARD!NELLA LONGICEPS)

Abstract

Two aerobic, gram-negative asporogenous, red-pigmented"
rod-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from oil sardine
( Sardinella longiceps). Their morphological, biochemical and
growth characteristics are reported. The pigment was identified
to be a prodigiosene. The strains were found to resemble
Serratia plynmthica. Effect of temperature and certain carbohydrates
on pigmentation was also studied. Iron was found to
inhibit pigmentation, and mannitol or sorbitol removed s.uch
inhibition.