ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PIGMENT PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM VERMICOMPOST MANURE AND CHECK THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTED PIGMENT

In the present study an attempt was made to isolate pigment producing bacteria from vermicompost manure and evaluate antimicrobial activity of pigment. Sample was collected from vermicompost bin. Pigmented colony was isolated and characterized for morphological characters such as shape, color, size, texture, elevation, margin on agar plate, and Gram staining. The pigment producing bacteria was identification by VITAK-2 method and effect of pH on the growth and pigment production was checked. Extraction of pigment was done by liquid-liquid extraction method using chloroform and separated by using separating funnel. This pigment was further characterized for antimicrobial activity. The growth and pigment production were maximum observed from pH 6 to 7. Pigment produced by bacteria also has inhibitory effect on bacteria such as Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. It was concluded that pigment showed inhibitory effect on tested microbes. Pigment has fluorescent property.