A Novel Approach for Siderophore Production by Pseudomonas mendocina under Solid State Fermentation using Inert Support

Many researchers around the globe have reported siderophore production using microorganisms like bacteria and fungi and most of them employed submerged fermentation. In this study we developed strategies to produce bacterial siderophore using solid state fermentation using a nutritionally inert substrate. KRB1 (identified as Pseudomonas mendocina by MTCC) isolated from the paddy fields of Kuttanad, Kerala was selected and important fermentation parameters were optimized to enhance siderophore production. There was an increase in the quantity of siderophore produced after the optimization steps. Tap water was found to be the most suitable extraction medium. Fermentation conditions like temperature of 30oC and 24 hours of incubation, medium pH – 7 and a moisture content of 0.6 % turned out to be optimum for siderophore production through solid state fermentation. Sucrose and peptone were the preferred carbon and nitrogen source respectively which enhanced the production whereas, all the amino acids adversely affected siderophore production. Also an inoculum concentration of O.D 3 resulted in the production of highest quantity of siderophore. The siderophore produced by KRB1 was found to be of hydroxamate nature after characterization studies.