ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF AUREOBASIDIUM PULLULANS

Abstract

Aureobasidium pullulans is ubiquitous, polymorphic and black fungus producing a variety of important metabolites including enzymes, polysaccharides and single cell protein. It is considered as a probable source for antagonistic activity against a number of phytopathogenic fungi and possible biocontrol agent of post harvest diseases. The present work aims at the antibacterial compounds produced by Aureobasidium pullulans (NCIM 1049). Extraction of antimicrobial compounds was carried out using solvent extraction and ammonium sulfate precipitation method. Antibacterial activity of resultant extracts was studied using agar disc diffusion method. Extraction using ethyl acetate as well as by salt precipitation method exhibited significant intracellular and extracellular antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The antibacterial activity resulting from salt precipitation method showed stability from pH 7-9, thermostability upto 60ºC. It was insensitive to SDS, EDTA and enzymes like trypsin, papain and Serratia peptidase.