International Journal of Current Research and Academic Review

ISSN:2347 - 3215 Volume 1 Number 1 (2013) pp. 01-16

A study on bacterial flora associated with fresh water prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

M.Prakash1* and N.Karmagam2

1Department of Microbiology, Kanchi Shri Krishna College of Arts and Science, Kilambi- 631 551, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Botany, Govt. Arts College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.

A B S T R A C T

The giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, popularly known as scampi, farmed crustacean species was used in this study. Fresh water prawn samples collected in two places. First place, Fresh water Prawn hatchery area, Marakanam and Neelakarai, this sample should be considered as a set=1. Second place, samples from various market areas in and around Kancheepuram town, Tamilnadu, this sample should be considered as set=2. The correlation between Total coliform Count (TCC) and Total Bacterial Count (TBC) of Set 1 and 2 was considerably significant statistically (r=0.40; p<0.01 and r=0.55; p<0.01). The positive regression line in the present study also supports that the increase in TCC with the increase in TBC. The principal bacterial genera encountered in fresh water prawn comprised of E. coli, Pseudomonas sps, Enterobacter sps, Vibrio sps Aeromonas sps and Staphylococcus aureus. Proteolytic activity and lipolytic activity were also found in the bacterial isolates which were isolated from giant fresh water prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) digestive system. The antibiotic sensitivity showed Oxytetracycline antibiotic was highly sensitive to most of the bacterial isolates from the prawn samples. Hence, Knowledge of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of bacterial flora in the hatchery would help to understand disturbances, if any, brought about during disease outbreaks.

Keywords

Giant freshwater prawn; Macrobrachium rosenbergii; Total coliform Count; Total Bacterial Count; Proteolytic activity; lipolytic activity; antibiotic sensitivity