Characterization and optimization of bacterium isolated from soil samples for the production of siderophores

Siderophores are small molecules that can easily bind to ferric iron. As a chelating agent, they transportiron molecules inside the bacterial cell for various biochemical reactions. Due to its various applicationsin medicinal, industrial and environmental related aspects, this paper deals with characterizationand optimization of few siderophores producing bacteria from the soil samples, collected from Chikkamagalurudistrict, Karnataka. The siderophores production was assayed qualitatively and quantitativelythrough Chrome Azurol S and the results showed positive for the strains VIT VK5 and VIT VK6 that grownin succinate medium. Further characterization and optimization results revealed that both the bacteriumhas the ability to yield siderophores ( ∼60–80% units) in the optimum condition of pH 8, at 37 °C withglucose and sucrose as a carbon source and NaNO3 as a nitrogen source. Thus, the study concludes thatstrains VITVK5 and VITVK6 can be promising candidates for the siderophores production which can playmajor applications in medicinal and industrial aspects.