EXTRACELLULAR ENZYMES PRODUCED BY THE BACTERIAL ASSOCIATES OF DENDROBIUM OVATUM (L.) KRAENZL

The associated microbiota of every organism profoundly influences and nurtures the existence of its hosts through various mechanisms.Plant associated microbiota is no exception to this phenomenon.Plants host the phytomicrobiome that include bacteria, fungi, algae, and nematodes.These are reported to be rich source of extracellular enzymes that may be hydrolases, lyases, oxidoreductases, or transferases.The quest for microbial assemblages capable of producing extracellular enzymes of industrial application is currently being thoroughly investigated.The present study reported the capability of the bacterial associates of the wild epiphytic orchid, Dendrobium ovatum to produce amylase, cellulase, laccase, lipase, pectinase, protease, and tyrosinase.Screening for extracellular enzymatic activities of the isolates revealed that 76.19 % of the bacterial isolates produced protease, followed by pectinase (52.38 %), amylase (47.62 %), cellulase (19.05 %), and lipase (14.29 %).All the isolates tested negative for laccase and tyrosinase enzyme production.These extracellular enzymes of microbial origin help in symbiosis process, penetrate the plant tissues, and understand their substrate utilization pattern.The stability of microbial enzymes over plant or animal enzymes is one of the striking features that make them a perfect option for industrial purposes.Hence, the bacterial associates of D. ovatum emerge as rich source of industrially important extracellular enzymes.