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 transport
iron molecules inside the bacterial cell for various biochemical reactions. Due to its various applications
in medicinal, industrial and environmental related aspects, this paper deals with characterization
and optimization of few siderophores producing bacteria from the soil samples, collected from Chikkamagaluru
district, Karnataka. The siderophores production was assayed qualitatively and quantitatively
through Chrome Azurol S and the results showed positive for the strains VIT VK5 and VIT VK6 that grown
in succinate medium. Further characterization and optimization results revealed that both the bacterium
has the ability to yield siderophores ( ∼60–80% units) in the optimum condition of pH 8, at 37 °C with
glucose and sucrose as a carbon source and NaNO3 as a nitrogen source. Thus, the study concludes that
strains VITVK5 and VITVK6 can be promising candidates for the siderophores production which can play
major applications in medicinal and industrial aspects.