Eco-toxicity and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of Burullus Lake in Egypt

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are ubiquitous environmental contaminants of growing concern due to their potential ecological and human health risks.This study presents a comprehensive assessment of PAHs contamination in the surface sediments of Burullus Lake,a vital and second largest delta lake in Egypt.The aim was to evaluate the eco-toxicity and potential health risks associated with the presence of these compounds.Surface seven sediment samples were collected from various drains in the southern part of Burullus Lake.Soxhlet extraction method was employed to extract PAHs(16PAHs)from the sediment sample.Analytically,target compounds were located using HPLC.The results showed that samples contained PAHs levels ranging from 0.038×10^(-6)to 0.459×10^(-6),which is considered heavily polluted by the European standard for PAHs pollution.Additionally,there was no apparent source of PAHs in the ElKhashah drain or the Brinbal Canal,as HPLC found none of the compounds.The most prevalent compound in sediment samples along the study area was fluoranthene.The diagnostic indices in the present study indicated that the hydrocarbons in the region originated from pyrolytic and man-made sources along the drains of Burullus Lake.The principal component analysis(PCA)and diagnostic ratios revealed that coal combustion and pyrolytic sources were responsible for the PAHs contamination in the surface sediments.The non-carcinogenic risk(HI),which is the product of the HQs for the adult and child populations,respectively,was calculated.HI values under 1,therefore,demonstrated that they had no carcinogenic effects on human health.TEQs and MEQs in the sediments of Burullus Lake do not have a cancer-causing impact on people.For the safety of nearby wildlife,aquatic life,and people,all activities that raise petroleum hydrocarbon levels in Burullus Lake must be adequately regulated and controlled.According to the ecological risk assessment,there is little chance that PAHs will be found in the sediments of Burullus Lake.This study underscores the urgent need for effective pollution control measures and regular monitoring of PAHs levels in Burullus Lake sediments to protect the aquatic ecosystem and public health.It also highlights the importance of considering eco-toxicity and human health risks in integrated risk assessments of PAHs-contaminated environments.

Use of biopolymers in wastewater treatment:A brief review of current trends and prospects

Indeed,polymeric materials have thrived in worldwide sectors over the last five decades due to their versatility and durability,to the point that we can no longer envisage a product that does not contain them.However,many synthetic polymers that have been produced are mostly sourced from petroleum and coal as raw materials,making them environmentally incompatible because they cannot be integrated with what is a natural recycling system.One of the most important aspects of the transition to a circular bioeconomy(CBE)is the provision of more sustainable strategies for resource and waste management.Considering the environmental consequences associated with petroleum-based polymers(PBPs),natural biopolymers,originating from biomass,can be conceived as a promising solution to gradually replace the PBPs,and address,and resolve the potential challenges and prevailing research gaps in the PBPs.The biopolymers have significant advantages over PBPs in terms of low-cost/zero-cost precursors,environmental friendliness,and user-friendliness.The present review dissects the sources,synthesis pathways,structures,characterization,and employment of biopolymers and their composites in water and wastew-ater treatment applications via different scenarios.Furthermore,the CBE model framework proposes potential approaches to applying CBE principles in the wastewater management sector,with a heavy emphasis on not only technology but also organizational and societal reforms.To sum up,the reliance on biopolymers can be considered a crucial tool for assessing the global progress toward CBE,as well as future environmental management and planning.

An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Chlorinated Pesticides in Sediments along the Semi-Closed Areas of Alexandria, Egypt

The residues of 19 EPA-organochlorine pollutants were analyzed in sediments collected from 49 different locations along the semi-closed areas of Alexandria, Egypt. The pollutants studied were 7 individual polychlorinatedbiphenyl (PCB) congeners, α,β,γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs), cyclodienes (aldrin, endrin, dieldrin) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) (o,p-DDE, p,p-DDE, o,p-DDD, p,p-DDD, o,p-DDT, p,p-DDT). The concentration of total DDTs ranged between ND and 123.76 ng.g-1 (dry wt) whereas the concentration of PCBs, HCHs and cyclodienes ranged from ND to 192.24 ng.g-1;ND to 20.78 ng.g-1 and ND to 8.04 ng.g-1 dry wt, respectively. The average total organic carbon (TOC) percent was varied from 0.04 to 7.65%.

Antifouling evaluation of extracts from Red Sea soft corals against primary biofilm and biofouling

Objectives: To evaluate antifouling property of extracts from Red Sea soft corals against primary biofilm and biofouling.Methods: Seven species of soft corals Sarcophyton glaucum(a), Sinularia compressa,Sinularia cruciata(a), Heteroxenia fuscescens(a), Sarcophyton glaucum(b), Heteroxenia fuscescens(b) and Sinularia cruciata(b) were chosen to test their extracts as antibacterial and antifouling agents in Eastern Harbour of Alexandria, Mediterranean Sea.Bioactive compounds of soft corals were extracted by using methanol and concentrated under vacuum. The residues of extracts were mixed in formulation of inert paint which consisted of rosin, chlorinated rubber and ferrous oxide against micro and macro fouling organisms. The formulated paints were then applied on PVC panels twice by brush,hanged in a steel frame and immersed in Eastern Harbour of Alexandria Mediterranean Sea followed by visual inspection and photographic recordings.Results: After 185 days of immersion in seawater, the antifouling results agreed with the antibacterial results where extracts of Sinularia compressa and Heteroxenia fuscescens(b) gave the best activity against marine fouling tubeworms and barnacles. The inhibition activity was correlated with the major functional groups(hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl,aliphatic(fatty acids), C]C of alkene or aromatic rings and CeC l of aryl halides) of the extracts.Conclusions: The strong antifouling activity makes them promising candidates for new antifouling additives. After the screening and application of natural organic compounds from soft corals, marine organisms show activity against micro and macro fouling organisms.

Green synthesis of iron oxide(Fe_3O_4)nanoparticles using two selected brown seaweeds:Characterization and application for lead bioremediation

The exploitation of different plant materials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered a green technology because it does not involve any harmful chemicals. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles（Fe3O4-NPs） were synthesized using a completely green biosynthetic method by reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed water extracts. The two seaweeds Padina pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy and Sargassum acinarium（Linnaeus） Setchell 1933 were used in this study. The algae extract was used as a reductant of Fe Cl3 resulting in the phytosynthesis of Fe3O4-NPs. The phytogenic Fe3O4-NPs were characterized by surface plasmon band observed close to 402 nm and 415 nm; the obtained Fe3O4-NPs are in the particle sizes ranged from 10 to 19.5 nm and 21.6 to 27.4 nm for P. pavonica and S. acinarium, respectively. The strong signals of iron were reported in their corresponding EDX spectra. FTIR analyses revealed that sulphated polysaccharides are the main biomolecules in the algae extracts that do dual function of reducing the Fe Cl3 and stabilizing the phytogenic Fe3O4-NPs. The biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs were entrapped in calcium alginates beads and used in Pb adsorption experiments. The biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs alginate beads via P. pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy had high capacity for bioremoval of Pb（91%） while that of S. acinarium（Linnaeus） Setchell 1933 had a capacity of（78%） after 75 min.The values of the process parameters for the maximum Pb removal efficiency by Fe3O4-NPs alginate beads synthesized via P. pavonica（Linnaeus） Thivy were also estimated.

Effect of Feeding on Fresh(wet)Housefly Maggots(Musca domestica)with or without Artificial Diet on Water Quality and Growth Rates of African Catfish(Clarias gariepinus Burchell,1822)Fry under Laboratory Conditions

No or little information on the use fresh(wet)housefly maggots(Musca domestica)in African catfish(Clarias gariepinus)fry feeding.Therefore,this study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding on fresh(wet)housefly maggots with or without artificial diet on water quality,growth performance,survival percentage and feed utilization of African catfish fry under laboratory conditions.Housefly maggots produced from a mixture of poultry droppings and foods wastes,it was used to replace artificial feed at 0,50 and 100% levels.Catfish were fed artificial diet alone(Feed 1),fresh(wet)housefly maggots alone(Feed 2),and 50% fresh housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet(Feed 3)were prepared and tested on triplicate groups of African catfish fry(initial weight of 0.25±0.02 g)for 60 days.Results showed that final weight(g/fish)was significantly(P≤0.05)higher in fish fed on feed 3(6.03±0.08),followed by fish fed feed 2(4.62±0.27),followed by fish fed feed 1(3.15±0.68).Specific growth rate(%/day)was also significantly higher in fish fed on feed 3(5.31±0.10),followed by fish fed feed 2(4.86±0.03),followed by fish fed feed 1(4.18±0.24).The same trend was observed with total weight gain,percentage weight gain,daily growth rate and relative growth rate.Feed intake and protein intake were significantly(P≤0.05)higher in fish fed on feed 3 and fish fed on feed 2,followed by fish fed feed 1.While,feed conversion ratio(FCR)and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly(P>0.05),but the improvement in FCR recorded in catfish fry fed feed 3 and feed 2 under the experimental conditions.Survival percentage was within the range 55-75%,with insignificant differences(P>0.05)among treatments.The water quality parameters such as temperature,pH,dissolved oxygen,total ammonia,nitrite and nitrate were not significantly(P>0.05)between the treatments and were tolerable for Catfish culture.Accordingly,use of the 50% fresh(wet)housefly maggots with 50% artificial diet in African catfish fry feeding had positive effect on growth performance and reduce of the feed cost.

Heavy Metals in Some Fish Species and Bivalves from the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

Biota samples were collected seasonally during three consecutive years from the Egyptian costal region along the Mediterranean Sea for analysis of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Hg. In addition to bivalve Donax, seven commercially important species of fish were examined to provide a comprehensive assessment for the concentrations of these metals in the Mediterranean coastal region of Egypt. Despite of the presence of several land-based sources of contamination, particularly at El-Mex Bay and El-Maadiya, the results showed very weak increase in the concentration of copper, lead and mercury revealing no accumulation of these metals in the biological material, even in non-migrant bivalve species such as Donax. However, an increase in the concentration of zinc and cadmium in fish tissues was measured from 1993 to 1995. Regardless of the fish species, no significant differences were observed in concentrations of most metals between different locations and from season to season. Regarding concentrations of most metals, no interspecies differences could be also measured in either fish tissues or in bivalve Donax. The study indicated that the concentration of these heavy metals were well below the documented toxic levels for human consumption and represent baseline levels against which possible future heavy-metal contamination can be measured.

Isolation, cytotoxic activity and phylogenetic analysis of <i>Bacillus sp.</i>bacteria associated with the red sea sponge <i>Amphimedon ochracea</i>

Most of marine sponges harbor dense and diverse microbial communities of bioactivity importance. Four Gram positive bacterial cultures (HA-21, HA-68, HA- MS-105 and HA-MS-119) were isolated from the sponge Amphimedon ochracea, collected from the Red Sea coast of Egypt. Bacterial species were identified based on the phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of their 16S rDNA genes. The Sequences similarity values of 98% - 100% to other strains in the NCBI database showed strong similarities with the 16S rDNA genes of firmicutes (Bacillus sp.). The four bacterial species were submitted to the GenBank database and had accession numbers of: HA-21 [JQ-768238];HA-68 [JQ751264];HA-MS-105 [JQ768239];HAMS-119 [JQ768240]. The cytotoxic activities of the bacterial isolates were tested against three established human cancer cell lines;HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), HCT (colon carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast carcinoma). The inhibitory effect on these cell lines, measured by MTT cell assay protocol, revealed promising cytotoxic activity of the four isolates (IC50 values (μg/mL) were: HA-21: 13.2, 9.3 and 12.2;HA-68: 10.42, 4.3 and 5.5;HA-MS-105: 46.9, 28.6 and 21.3;HAMS-119: 10.42, 6.3 and 22.1;respectively). The recovery of bacterial strains with cytotoxic activity suggests that marine invertebrates remain a rich source for the isolation of culturable isolates capable of producing novel bioactive secondary metabolites.

PAHs in Seawater of the Semi-Closed Areas along the Alexandria Coast of Egyptian Mediterranean Sea

The distributions of 15 out of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in surface and bottom water of Alexandria coasts (Egyptian Mediterranean Sea). Total average PAH concentrations were ranged from 9.89 to 677.25 ng/l, and from 2.21 to 345.29 ng/l in surface and bottom water, respectively. PAH concentrations were at relatively low levels compared to those reported for other estuaries and marine systems around the world. The ΣCOMB and ΣTF-PAHs suggest the origin of hydrocarbons. The higher concentrations of total pyrolytic hydrocarbons (ΣCOMB) than that of total fossil hydrocarbons (ΣTFPAH) declared that atmospheric fall-out from traffic exhausts was the significant source of PAHs to marine environment of the semi-closed areas of Alexandria. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed in the harbours, especially marine area due to petroleum products deliveries and fuel combustion emissions from the ships awaiting along side the quays.

Assessment and Distribution of Heavy Metals Pollutants in Manzala Lake, Egypt

Contamination with heavy metals is one of the most serious problems in the aquatic environments. In Egypt, Manzala Lake is suffering from this problem. The objective of this work was to assess heavy metals pollutants and their spatial distribution in Manzala Lake using GIS technique. Georeferenced water and sediment samples were randomly collected from the lake. The detected heavy metals were: Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn and Co. The obtained results indicated that the highest concentrations of heavy metals were observed in the northeastern and the southern parts of the lake nearby drains. This could be attributed to industrial, agricultural and municipal wastes coming through the drains especially Bahr El-Baqar drain and the industrial wastes coming from Port Said drains. From the geo-accumulation index, it was noticed that the lake is more polluted with cadmium and lead in the hydrosoils samples. All metals in water are within the EPA standard limit except for cadmium. Geostatistics provides effective methods to quantify the contaminated waters and sediments which support decision-making about redevelopment scenarios or remediation techniques.

Immunocytochemical identification and distribution of the cell types in the pituitary gland of <i>Bagrus bayad</i>(<i>Teleostei, Bagridae</i>)

Immunocytochemical identification of the different cell types in the pituitary gland of Bagrus bayad was performed using antisera against mammalian (human and rat) and piscine hormones. The adenohypophysis was composed of rostral pars distalis (RPD), proximal pars distalis (PPD) and pars intermedia (PI). Prolactin and adrenocorticotrophic cells were located in the rostral pars distalis of the pituitary. Gonadotrophic and growth hormone cells were distributed in the proximal pars distalis, but gonadotrophic cells appear also at the border of the pars intermedia. Somatolactin cells, as well as alpha-melanotrophic cells were located in the pars intermedia of B. bayad pitui-tary. The prolactin (PRL) cells were distributed in the RPD stained with orange G and showed strong immunoreactivity with antiserum to chum salmon. The adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) cells were lead hema-toxylin-positive (PbH+) and showed strong im- mu-noreactivity with anti-human ACTH;these cells bor-dered the neurohypophysis and grouped in islets be-tween PRL cells in the RPD. Growth hormone (GH) cells were densely distributed with the gonadotrophic (GTH) cells in the PPD. They were orange G positive and reacted with antiserum to chum salmon. GTH cells were located in the central area of the PPD and in the external border of the PI. These cells were Alcyan Blue and PAS positive, and immunostained with anti-chum salmon GTH Iβ and anti-chum salmon GTH IIβ. In addition, antiserum to rat thyrotropin stimulating hormone β (TSHβ) reacted positively to the GTH cells. These results suggest that GTH I, GTH II and TSH are synthesized in the same cells in the pituitary of B. bayad. The PI was composed mainly of PbH+ cells and a PAS+ cell adjacent to the neurohypophysis. The PAS+ cells from the PI bound specifically to anti-chum somatolactin. Anti-alpha- melanin stimulating hormone (MSH) stained only the PbH+ (alpha-melanotrophic) cells of the PI.

Landscape Evaluation Based on Gaofen Satellite in the Southern Part of the Nile Delta, Egypt

Landscape segmentation and classification is fundamental to landscape research because it provides an important frame of reference for researchers to communicate and compare their work. Anthropogenic human activities mainly lead to landscape changes. The present study aims to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on landscape classification of the Nile Delta using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Field survey, digital databases and GIS capabilities are applied for landscapes classification. Vector data using a lot of maps and raster data using satellite image have the ability to give obvious classification about landscape. Results showed that the anthropogenic impacts affect negatively on the landscape classification. Using GF2, landscapes are classified into major eight classes: cultivated land, garden land, woodland, grassland, bare land, urban land, water bodies and mining land. It was showed that the urban occupies the highest percentage of the study area. Urban construction and development areas centered on the capital Cairo city and the city of Giza are dumbbell-shaped to the east. Bare lands occupy the second percentage of the study area, and it may be distributed on around the Nile Delta, southeast of Cairo City and southwest of Giza City. According to vegetation cover, three classes were applied as the sequence: Cultivated land > Garden land > Grass land. These classes depend mainly on the River Nile. Vegetation cover may be based mainly on the water from the Nile River. In addition, mining land occupies the least percentage of the study area. The main distribution of mines and mineral exploration is also very small, but it is distributed on the edge of the city. Landscape metric as Fractal Dimension (Frac) and the Square Pixel (SqP) was applied to validate the segmentation and classification. These metrics indicated that the landscape classification is related to natural and human changes. These changes were related to unplanned management of new projects and some anthropogenic activities.

Mercury and Methyl Mercury in Sediments of Northern Lakes-Egypt

Fifty-four sediment samples of the five Northern Egyptian lakes, (Mariout, Edku, El-Burullus, El-Manzallah, and El-Bardaweel) were analyzed to investigate the pollution status of mercury (Hg). The total mercury (T-Hg) content in sediment samples ranged from 15.33 to 171.29 ng·g–1 dry wt).The results showed that T-Hg were lower than the back ground values reported and also lower than the ranges of uncontaminated sediments. Moreover, the T-Hg concentrations in all sediments were under the upper chemical Exceedance level (1 μg·g–1). The concentrations of Methyl mercury (MeHg) in surface sediments of the Northern lakes ranged from 0.002 - 0.023 ng·g–1 dry wt. The contribution of MeHg was less than 0.1% of total mercury concentration with index values from 0.08 - 1.37 ng·g–1;dry wt). MeHg showed insignificant correlation with T-Hg. This suggested that MeHg contents were not controlled by the T-Hg in sediments. The T-Hg and MeHg concentrations were insignificantly correlated with TOC content which indicates that the concentration of T-Hg and MeHg in sediments of Northern lakes were not influence by TOC. The average T-Hg concentration was found in the following order;Mariout > El-Manzallah > El-Burullus > Edku > El-Bardaweel. While the MeHg was found in the order;El-Bardaweel > El-Burullus ≥ El-Manzallah > Mariout > Edku.

Biofilm Formation by Marine Cobetia marina alex and Pseudoaltero­monas spp: Development and Detection of Quorum Sensing N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones (AHLs) Molecules

Surfaces submerged in seawater are colonized by various microorganisms,resulting in the formation of heterogenic marine biofilms.This work aims to evaluate the biofilm formation by Cobetia marina alex and doing a comparative study between this promising strain with the two bacterial strains isolated previously from the Mediterranean seawater,Alexandria,Egypt.Three strains;Cobetia marina alex,Pseudoalteromonas sp.alex,and Pseudoalteromonas prydzensis alex were screened for biofilm formation using the crystal violet(CV)quantification method in a single culture.The values of biofilm formed were OD600=3.0,2.7,and 2.6,respectively leading to their selection for further evaluation.However,factors affecting biofilm formation by C.marina alex were investigated.Biofilm formation was evaluated in single and multispecies consortia.Synergistic and antagonistic interactions proved in this work lead to the belief that these bacteria have the capability to produce some interesting signal molecules N-acyl Homoserine Lactones(AHLs).

Cross Sectional Study of Skin Carriage and Enterotoxigenicity of Staphylococcus aureus among Food Handlers

The prevalence of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus was investigated among 200 participants working in three different food processing plants in Egypt. Using skin swabs, 75 (38%) of the 200 tested persons were positive for the presence of S. aureus. Of the S. aureus positive persons, 28 (14%) harboured S. aureus produced staphylococcal enterotoxins. The serotypes of these enterotoxins were enterotoxin A (68%), enterotoxin B (36%), enterotoxin C (46%) and enterotoxin D (18%). Some of these isolates produced more than one type of enterotoxins namely AB, AC, BC, BD, ABC and ACD. Analysis of risk factors implicated in skin carriage of S. aureus as age, gender, marital status, education, duration in employment, frequency and method of hand wash and incidence of chronic skin infection revealed insignificant association with staphylococcal skin carriage. The obtained results put forth the risk of food contracting contamination with enterotoxigenic strains of S. aureus owing to skin colonization of S. aureus among food handlers.

Primmorph extracts and mesohyls of marine sponges inhibit proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro

Cancer recurrence and severe side effects of currently being used chemotherapeutic agents reduce their clinical efficacy. Thus, there is a constant need to develop alternative anticancer drugs. Sustainable supply is an important challenge facing marine-based drug discovery. Primmorph, a 3D cell culture system, could provide a sustainable source to produce metabolites for anticancer drugs from marine sponges. In the present work, the anticancer activity of primmorph extracts and mesohyls of Negombata magnifica, Hemimycle arabica, Crella spinulata, and Stylissa carteri sponges was evaluated. Antiproliferative activity was studied in terms of cytotoxicity, colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Migration was assessed by migration assay and matrix metalloproteinase activity. The expression of proliferation and migration-related genes was analyzed using real time PCR. Migration and proliferation activities of HepG2 cells were inhibited by treatment with primmorph extracts and mesohyls of N. magnifica, H. arabica, and C. spinulata. The mesohyl of S. carteri did not show any anticancer activity although the primmorph extract led to cell cycle arrest. Among the selected sponge species, the primmorph extract of C. spinulata was the most promising anticancer agent regarding antiproliferative and antimigratory activities. In addition, primmorph extracts have the advantage of working under welldefined and controlled conditions, which allows the easy application as a bioreactor.

Characterization of some bacterial strains isolated from the Egyptian eastern and northern coastlines with antimicrobial activity of Bacillus zhangzhouensis OMER4

Marine microorganisms were considered to be important sources of marine bioactive compounds.The major objective of the study was to isolate and characterize bacteria with antimicrobial activities from the various marine environment of Egypt.In this respect,thirty-five bacterial isolates were recovered from sediment samples collected from different spots along the Egyptian Red Sea coastline and Alexandria coastline during the summer season of 2017 and 2018.According to the morphological,physiological,and biochemical characteristics,the bacterial isolates were clustered into 13 groups designated as A,B,…,M.And,14 Gram-negative and 21 Grampositive bacteria were determined.The isolated bacterial strains were screened for their potentiality for antimicrobial agent(s)production against ten indicator strains.Strain Mo13 was showed high antimicrobial activity against all empirical strains.Subsequently,the most promising marine bacterial isolate with code MO13 was identified as Bacillus zhangzhouensis OMER4 according to the phenotypic characterization through morphological,physiological,and biochemical tests as well as genotypic characterization through the 16 S rDNA technique.The bioactive components were extracted with ethyl acetate,then analyzed using GC-MS and the substantial component was recognized as phenol,2,4-bis(1,1-dimethyl ethyl).