The present study evaluated colony population dynamics and pectin degradation efficiency of six bacterial isolates (D4N16, D5M4, D5M5, D5R2, D5R15, and MCG4) over a 120-day storage period. Significant variations were observed among isolates and across storage durations. Colony numbers were highest at 15 DAS, with D4N16 (294) and D5R2 (287) showing superior survival, while all isolates gradually declined with time, reaching lowest counts at 120 DAS (ranging from 28 in D5M4 to 108 in D4N16). Pectin degradation activity also showed a decreasing trend over time, with maximum activity recorded at 15 DAS (29.00 in D5M5), followed by a gradual reduction across isolates. Among tested strains, D4N16 and D5R2 maintained relatively higher colony counts and degradation activity, suggesting their potential stability in sugarcane bagasse as a carrier system. These findings highlight sugarcane bagasse as a sustainable and effective medium for bacterial storage, with implications for its application in rapid jute retting.
Key words: Pectinolytic bacteria, storage period, sugarcane bagasse
Recent Comments