ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IDENTIFICATION OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA FROM PICHAVARAM MANGROVE FOREST WITH HAEMOLYTIC, ANTIBACTERIAL, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Background: Endophytes are known to be important providers of probiotics and antibiotics and live in plant tissues without appearing to cause any harm. The hemolytic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of endophytic bacteria are investigated in this work. Materials and Methods: Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriopsdecandra are common in the coastal area of the Pichavaram mangrove forest in Tamil Nadu. From their leaves, endophytic bacterial strains were recovered. The isolates were characterized biochemically and molecularly. Assays for hemolytic activity, DPPH free radical scavenging, and antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method were carried out. Results: The isolates were identified as Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus paramycoides, and Cytobacillus firmus based on molecular characterization. Conclusion: The isolates demonstrated significant haemolytic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. These findings indicate that endophytic bacteria from Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriopsdecandra have the potential to serve as sources for novel antibacterial compounds.