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Bacterial Diversity of East Calcutta Wet Land Area: Possible Identification of Potential Bacterial Population for Different Biotechnological Uses

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Abstract

The extent of microbial diversity in nature is still largely unknown, suggesting that there might be many more useful products yet to be identified from soil microorganisms. This insight provides the scientific foundation for a renewed interest in examining soil microorganisms for novel commercially important products. This has led us to access the metabolic potential of soil microorganisms via cultivation strategy. Keeping this in mind, we have performed a culture-dependent survey of important soil bacterial community diversity in East Calcutta Wetland area (Dhapa Landfill Area). We describe isolation of 38 strains, their phenotypic and biochemical characterization, and finally molecular identification by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified 16S rRNA gene products. We have isolated and identified strains able to fix nitrogen, produce extracellular enzymes like protease, cellulase, xylanase, and amylase, and solubilize inorganic phosphates. Some isolates can synthesize extracellular insecticidal toxins. We find a good correlation between biochemical and phenotypic behavior and the molecular study using 16S rRNA gene of the isolates. Furthermore, our findings clearly indicate the composition of cultivable soil bacteria in East Calcutta Wetland Area.

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Acknowledgments

Abhrajyoti Ghosh thanks the Guha Research Endowment Fund for financial assistance. This work was partially financed by Sun Biotechnology Ltd., Kolkata, India. The authors also acknowledged the support from Mr. Aloke Sen and Dr. Kalyan Chakraborty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. B C Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta, 700019, West Bengal, India

    Abhrajyoti Ghosh & Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay

  2. Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India

    Abhrajyoti Ghosh, Krishanu Chakrabarti & Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay

  3. The Center for Genomic Application, IGIB-IMM Collaboration, 254 Okhla Industrial estate, Phase-III, New Delhi, 110020, India

    Bhaswar Maity

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  1. Abhrajyoti Ghosh
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  3. Krishanu Chakrabarti
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  4. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay
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Correspondence to Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay.

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Ghosh, A., Maity, B., Chakrabarti, K. et al. Bacterial Diversity of East Calcutta Wet Land Area: Possible Identification of Potential Bacterial Population for Different Biotechnological Uses. Microb Ecol 54, 452–459 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-007-9244-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-007-9244-z

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