Characterization and optimization of bacterium isolated from soil samples for the production of siderophores

Siderophores are small molecules that can easily bind to ferric iron. As a chelating agent, they transport iron molecules inside the bacterial cell for various biochemical reactions. Due to its various applications in medicinal, industrial and environmental related aspects, this paper deals with characterization and optimization of few siderophores producing bacteria from the soil samples, collected from Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. The siderophores production was assayed qualitatively and quantitatively through Chrome Azurol S and the results showed positive for the strains VITVK5 and VITVK6 that grown in succinate medium. Further characterization and optimization results revealed that both the bacterium has the ability to yield siderophores (∼60–80% units) in the optimum condition of pH 8, at 37°C with glucose and sucrose as a carbon source and NaNO3 as a nitrogen source. Thus, the study concludes that strains VITVK5 and VITVK6 can be promising candidates for the siderophores production which can play major applications in medicinal and industrial aspects.