L-Asparaginase from Marine Actinomycetes of Thoothukudi Coastal Ecosystem

Abstract

Marine Actinomycetes are a valuable resource for novel bioactive compounds. L asparaginase, a bioactive compound obtained from marine Actinomycetes is gaining momentum as an anticancerous agent because of its stability in varied environments. The present study aims at the isolation of actinomycetes from the marine sediment of Thoothukudi coast and evaluates their potential for L asparaginase. Grab and core samplers were used for collecting the marine sediment samples. Out of 21 recommended media, seventeen media were used for the enumeration of Actinomycetes. Rapid plate assay with phenol red as indicator was used for quick screening of L asparaginase positive cultures. Among seventeen different media, starch casein agar media, sea water complex media and Actinomycetes isolation agar were found to be suitable for isolating Actinomycetes. Nearly hundred isolates were obtained and only six isolates showed L asparaginase activity. The isolate DS8 showed more activity compared to other isolates. Starch casein agar with 0.015 % phenol red was highly suitable for rapid assay of asparaginase activity. The final purified enzyme obtained from sephadex G200 showed a specific activity of 45.18 IU/mg of protein. The present study concludes that marine sediments of Thoothukudi harbouring Actinomycetes with therapeutic enzymes could be exploited as a source of L asparaginase.