Antibiotics Sensitivity and Heavy Metals Resistance in PHB-Producing Bacilli Isolated from Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

To cite this paper: Berekaa, M., K. Salama and K. Alkharsah, 2016. Antibiotics sensitivity and heavy metals resistance in PHB-producing bacilli isolated from eastern province, Saudi Arabia. AbstractThere has been considerable interest in development and industrial production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biopolymers from bacteria due to its potential applications in agriculture, health and medicine. However, it is recommended to evaluate PHB-producing bacteria regarding sensitivity to antibiotics, resistance to heavy metals and possible toxicity before large scale production of the biopolymer. In this study, 120 bacterial strains isolated from different soil and sewage water samples in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, and screened for PHB production. megaterium DG8, DP7 and B. pseudomycoides DWST2-1. Bacillus sp. DSG5 and DPS6 followed by DSWT2-1, DS3-17 and DS3-12 showed highest resistance to Cr +6 (10 mg/mL), as well as Hg (62.5 μg/mL) and Ag (5 mg/mL), respectively while most strains were highly susceptible to other metals. Four isolates including B. cereus strain DS3-16 showed β-hemolysis activity, while Bacillus axarquiensis DSG5 showed α-hemolytic activity, indicating their possible toxicity.