ISSN 1995-5537
"Biotechnology" journal V. 4, No. 2, 2011
Р. 61-69, Bibliography 55, English.
Universal Decimal classification: 579.841.21:579.222.4
Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano_Frankivsk
The strain of bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum, producing and excreting melanin, was isolated. Melanin excretion was observed only on Ashby medium with benzoic acid, but not on the medium with mannitol as carbon source. Some properties of bacterial melanin (absorption spectrum, reduction of permanganates to manganates, rate of bleaching by hydrogen peroxide, co-precipitation with calcium ions) and conditions of its production (dependence on copper ion concentration) were described. A scheme of isolation and purification of bacterial melanin was proposed. It was found that partially purified melanin accelerates growth of tomato, rape, radish and lettuce seedlings.
Additionally, it was shown that crystals are formed on the surface of solid growth medium, in the bulk and on the surface of bacterial streak. Putative link between melanogenesis and crystal formation, as well as practical application of melanin production by bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum are discussed.
Key words: Azotobacter chroococcum, melanin, crystal, calcification.
© Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2008