Evaluation of mic of Cd+2 and Hg+2 for the growth of E. coli nissle 1917 Seshapani P.*, Kumari J. Pramoda Dept. of Microbiology, S.V.U. PG Centre, Kavali-524201, Andhra Pradesh, India *Corresponding author: P. seshapani, C/o Dr. J Pramoda Kumari, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, S.V.U. PG Centre, Kavali -524207, AP, India; Email:Seshapani999@gmail.com
Online published on 26 February, 2013. Abstract The present study describes the response of a bacterial strain E. coli Nissle 1917 to heavy metal toxicity. E. coli Nissle 1917 the most extensively studied probiotic strain of E. coli in the world has shown that the absence of pathogenicity factors (e.g. of enterotoxins, haemolysins, cytotoxins, invasins, pathogen-specific fimbriae), combined with the presence of “fitness factors” (e.g. microcins, iron uptake systems, typical adhesins) which enable the micro-organism to survive in and colonise the intestine, contribute to the probiotic properties of EcN. The isolate was studied for its tolerance to two heavy metals i.e. Cadmium (Cd+2) and Mercury (Hg+2) cultured at 37°C for 5 hr in Luria Bertani broth without shaking. Bacterial growth was measured every half an hour using spectrophotometer. Findings obtained from this study indicated that bacterial growth reduced at presence of 0.5 mM/L concentration of Cadmium and 0.03 mM/L Mercury in comparison with control growth of the bacteria was completely inhibited by 0.7 mM/L concentration of Cadmium. And 0.05 Mm/L Mercury has inhibitory effects on growth of the bacteria. Mercury is highly toxic when compared to cadmium and this work suggested that heavy metals elements could interact in their metabolism in bacteria. It has also concluded that toxic effects of heavy metals element could be another view against pathogenic bacteria particularly in complex with antibacterial activity of various antibiotics Top Keywords E.coli Nissle 1917, Cadmium, Mercury, Toxicity. Top |