Isolation, characterization and analysis of the capacity to produce antimicrobials substances from bacteria associated with Aplysina caissara

Abstract

Marine sponges harbor diverse bacterial communities in which complex interactions are established. Several bioactive compounds obtained from these animals are, actually, synthesized by the associated microbial communities. Therefore, in this project several cultivation media will be used to isolate bacteria associated with the sponge Aplysina caissara (endemic) present in the coast of São Paulo. It is expected to obtain around 200 pure bacteria isolates. These bacteria will be submitted to dual antagonistic assay on agar plates to identify those capable of synthesize antimicrobial compounds against common bacteria and of clinical interest. It is anticipated that around 10% of the investigated isolates from A. caissara will inhibited the growth of indicator bacteria. The results obtained in this project will be innovative by investigating sponges-associated bacteria from South Atlantic and will enable to foster our understanding of the antagonistic functions carried out by these bacteria. Besides, this project will assess the great biotechnological potential of the bacterial isolated from marine sponges.