Vol. 13, Issue 1 (2024)

Author(s):
BP Chauhan and NK Singh

Abstract:
Catharanthus roseus is an important medicinal plant, belongs to the family Apocynaceae and is a vital source of alkaloids. Fifteen endophytic bacterial isolates selected which has showing highest Total antioxidant capacity were screened and further characterized based on morphological and biochemical characteristic. Nine isolates were tested gram negative and six gram positive. Cultural characteristics of the isolates varied widely on nutrient agar Petriplates and slants. The bacterial colonies appeared creamy white and showed circular form and irregular or entire colony margins on nutrient agar Petriplates. The isolates metabolized various carbohydrate sources. All the isolates were positive for esculin hydrolysis and citrate and malonate utilization. However, none of the isolates could utilize lactose, xylitol, D- Arbinose and sorbitol. Dendrogram based on carbohydrate utilization pattern grouped these fifteen bacterial isolates into two broad groups (Cluster A and culture B) with the Jaccard’s similarity co-efficient of 0.46.