Biological activity of bacteria isolated from wetland sediments collected from a conservation unit in the southern region of Brazil

Abstract

Wetlands are ecosystems rich in biodiversity and their ecological importance is recognized worldwide. Sediment samples were subjected to physical-chemical analysis and organic carbon content varied from 3.0% to 4.8%, the clay between 32 and 40%, silt with 41% and 43%, sand coarse varied between 6 and 11% and fi ne sand between 7 and 16%. The nitrogen values varied from 0.25% to 0.48%, the pH from 5.4 to 7.5 and the humidity varied from 44 to 56%. The selected isolates were evaluated for enzymatic properties and 64% showed positive results for amylase, 16% for gelatinase, 37% for lipase, 91% for protease and 2.7% for inulinase. Six bacterial isolates were selected for the overlapping assay and Bacillus sp. sed 2.2 showed inhibitory activity against Corynebacterium fi mi NCTC 7547, and the antimicrobial substance was partially purifi ed. The characterization of the substance was carried and the substance was stable at 100° C for up to 10 minutes and sensitive to the enzymes papain and trypsin. This substance was active against some species of Listeria, including Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644. The microorganims obtained from sediment samples were important sources of bioactive compounds, including enzymes and peptides, being a source of bioactive compounds to be studied.