The Utilization of Rum Slops by Marine Bacteria. I. Isolation of Efficient Strains

Abstract

Bacterial strains have been isolated from selected marine communities, and their ability to utilize and/or detoxify the crude slops has been assessed. These bacterial strains were isolated from 1) marine mud, 2) decaying sea grass, Thalassia testudinum, 3) the surfaces of the roots of the mangrove Rhizophora mangle and 4) gravel sediment. The isolates were grown on solid modified sea water media containing slops. A total of twenty isolates were obtained from the slops media. Colony shape and color of these strains were determined. The slops isolates were grown in liquid culture media in the presence of slops. Eight of the original isolates grew in this media, showing little tendency to form aggregates. The growth of these strains was examined in the presence of variable concentrations of the slops. The results of this study indicate that the growth inhibitors in the slops can be partially detoxified by these bacterial strains, and the remaining material utilized for population growth.