Indigenous Bacillus pumilus, B. licheniformis, and B. subtilis were isolated from marine water and soil samples and investigated for potential bioremediation ability in Penaeus monodon culture. Bacillus spp. | Turkish Journal of Biology Research Article Turk J Biol (2013) 37: 92-100 © TÜBİTAK doi: A holistic approach for selection of Bacillus spp. as a bioremediator for shrimp postlarvae culture 1 2 2,3, 2 2,4 Thimmalapura DEVARAJA , Sanjoy BANERJEE , Fatimah YUSOFF *, Mohamed SHARIFF , Helena KHATOON 1 Taralabalu Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kadalivana, 577 004 Davanagere, India 2 Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia 3 Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia 4 Current address: Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Aqua-Industry, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia Received: Accepted: Published Online: Printed: Abstract: Indigenous Bacillus pumilus, B. licheniformis, and B. subtilis were isolated from marine water and soil samples and investigated for potential bioremediation ability in Penaeus monodon culture. Bacillus spp. were selected based on their wide range of growth conditions, ease of mass culture, tolerance to total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), inhibition of pathogenic vibrios, nonpathogenicity, and ability to reduce TAN. Results showed that optimum growth of the selected Bacillus spp. occurred at 30 °C, pH , and NaCl, and they secreted protease, amylase, and lipase. Vibrio spp. were also inhibited by 3 Bacillus spp. In addition, the selected Bacillus spp. had no pathogenic effect on shrimp postlarvae (PL) and were able to reduce TAN. They promoted better growth and survival in shrimp PL without water exchange. This study was a systematic approach undertaken for the selection of suitable Bacillus spp. as bioremediators for a Penaeus monodon culture system. Key words: Bacillus, bioremediation, Vibrio spp., Penaeus monodon, shrimp postlarvae 1. Introduction The rapid expansion of shrimp culture has .
