Diversity, Distribution and Characterization of Halophilic and Halotolerant Bacteria Isolated from Marine Sediments for Producing Extracellular Hydrolytic Enzymes

A total of 114 halophilic and halotolerant bacteria were isolated from marine sediments. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates showed that they belonged to 23 OTUs. 63, 52, 47, 57, 74, 15 and 4 isolates were able to produce protease, amylase, lipase, pectinase, pulluanase, xylanase, cellulase, respectively. Combined hydrolytic enzyme activities showed that fifteen strains presented one hydrolytic activity, 32 strains presented 2 hydrolytic activities, 21 strains presented 3 hydrolytic activities, 26 strains presented 4 hydrolytic activities, 11 strains presented 5 hydrolytic activities and 2 strains presented 6 hydrolytic activities. The highest rates for production of protease, amylase, lipase, pectinase, pullanase, xylanase and cellulase were observed in members of B. baekryungensis, Hallobacillus sp., B. pumilus, B. megaterium or P. chungwhensis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. pumilus, B. baekryungensis, respectively. However, the higher activities of protease, pectinase and pulluanase were frequently produced by the members of Halomonas sp. B. amyloliquefaciens or P. chungwhensis, and Vibrio sp. respectively. This investigation showed that the diversity of halophilic and haotolerant bacteria from marine sediments may as a potential source of hydrolytic enzymes for industrial applications.