5. L-asparaginase production and molecular identification of marine streptomycete strain WS3/1

The aim of the present study is the production and molecular identification of L-asparaginase from marine Streptomycete sp. WS3/1. Sixty seven actinomycetes were isolated from marine sediments of Tuticorn, Tamilnadu by rapid assay plate method. Based on the enzyme activity, the most potent strain was selected and identified. The morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics of the identified strain revealed it to a member of the genus Streptomyces. A total of sixty seven marine actinomycetes were isolated out of which thirty two showed promising enzyme activity. Based on morphological, cultural, biochemical characteristics, Scanning Electron Microscopy, the potent strain was designated as Streptomyces griseoluteus WS3/1. The nucleotide sequence of the 16S rDNA gene analysis of the potent strain showed 99% similarity with Streptomyces. This investigation indicates that marine sediments are promising source for isolation of marine actinomycetes particularly streptomyces. Marine streptomyces sp. strain WS3/1 is the first report on the strain identification of marine streptomyces with high levels of extracellular L-asparaginase enzyme production.