Exploring marine algae for the systematic isolation of alginate lyase producers

Alginate, a complex polysaccharide predominantly found in seaweeds, is degraded into alginate oligosaccharides by the enzyme alginate lyase, an enzyme of high interest for its diverse applications in medicine and industry. In this study, our primary focus was to isolate microorganisms with robust alginate lyase-producing capabilities from marine algae. Through systematic screening methodologies and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the isolate was taxonomically classified as belonging to the Paenibacillus genus and has been archived in gene bank with the accession number OM980630. A comprehensive optimization process was executed, testing 13 different growth media to ascertain the most conducive environment for both bacterial proliferation and enzyme activity. It was determined that Medium M-7 yielded the most promising results. Furthermore, the presence of alginate in the culture medium not only acted as a carbon source but also as an inducer for alginate lyase production. Recognizing the crucial role of alginate lyase in medical treatments, especially in managing conditions like cystic fibrosis, and its importance in industrial processes, specifically for generating bioactive oligosaccharides with applications including antitumor, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and anti-radiation activities, the identification of a new microbial source for alginate lyase production could represent a significant advancement in both healthcare and industry.