Isolation of marine bacteria using silkworm pupal medium

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate marine bacteria using a novel silkworm pupal medium, focusing on samples collected from
Qixing Bay and Longhua Bay, which included seawater, brittle star, shrimp gut, and sponge. Two types of culture media—basic 2216E and the silkworm pupal selective medium—were employed for bacterial isolation. The process involved bacterial extraction, culture, purification, and subsequent DNA analysis, including PCR amplification, electrophoresis, and
sequencing. The results led to the identification of a diverse array of marine bacteria, including Alcanivorax sp. and Verru-
comicrobiales sp. Alcanivorax sp. is known for its ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons, while Verrucomicrobiales sp.
is suggested to be a significant metabolizer in marine ecosystems. The findings highlight the potential of the silkworm pupal medium as a promising tool for cultivating marine bacteria, offering a novel approach to studying the functional diversity of marine microorganisms. This research underscores the importance of innovative culture techniques in the exploration and utilization of marine microbial resources for biotechnological and environmental applications.