MICROBIAL L-ASPARAGINASE: THE ANTICANCER SOLUTION HIDDEN IN LAND OF MANGROVES

Abstract

Mangroves represent a vast and productive ecosystem for a wide range of organisms. The peculiar characteristics like scarcity of oxygen, salinity of the water make this environment unique to support the growth of specific organisms found in this ecosystem. India is well known for its richness of biodiversity and has 7516.6 km coastline. The wide range of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes are not only unique to the mangrove environment but also are very diverse in their enzyme activities. However, this diversity of marine ecosystems has not been much explored as far as the microbial communities and their interactions are concerned. With this background in view, the current study was undertaken to explore the variety of organisms inhabiting land of Mangroves in Maharashtra with special reference to their ability to produce an enzyme L-asparaginase. L-Asparaginase is the unique enzyme that can be a potential anticancer agent. Geographically versatile land of mangroves was chosen for obtaining highly efficient L-Asparaginase producer. Soil and water samples were collected from the rhizosphere of the mangroves. These samples were then subjected to incubation in ADS broth for enrichment of the desired type of organisms. The isolates were then tested semi-quantitatively for production of the enzyme. Six out of total twenty isolates were found to be highly efficient producers of the enzyme. This enzyme can not only be used in treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders and lymphomas but also be used in food industry to reduce acrylamide levels in fried foods, proving their potential in industrial application.