Vol. 10, Special Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
Harish K, Jagadeesh Babu A, Madhava Rao T, Chitanya KG, Narmada K, Siddartha PV, Suresh Y and Kalpana V

Abstract:
The aim of the study is to determine the occurrence of cellulase producing B. cereus in various soil samples from Tirupati region. In this study, 68 samples were collected from different areas of Tirupati. Out of 68 samples, 58 (85.29%) samples showed characteristic peacock blue colored colonies on selective PEMBA. On Gram staining all these isolates were Gram-positive rods and sometimes spores were seen. Biochemical characterization was done to identify B. cereus isolates. Out of 58 isolates 53 isolates were positive for β-hemolysis on sheep blood agar. Fifty three (53) isolates were subjected to various biochemical tests but only 9 (16.98%) isolates showed characteristic biochemical features as that of B. cereus. All the 9 isolates were positive for catalase test, motility test, Voges- Proskauer test, citrate utilization test and nitrate reduction test and but negative for oxidase test. The 9 isolates are also positive for starch hydrolysis and gelatin hydrolysis. Out of 9 isolates only 2 (22.22%) isolates were positive for cellulase activity.