DNA Barcoding of Thiosulfate-Citrate-Bile Salts-Sucrose Agar-Selective Bacterial Species in the Mucus of Acropora millepora from Guimaras, Philippines
Felix Suarez Jr.1, Czarina Apdon1, Rhydd Jay Balinas1, Kate Mariene Baldonado1 and Krizzian Hernando1
1Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify Thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar-selective bacterial species present in the mucus of Acropora millepora collected in Taklong Island Marine Reserve, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Bacteria sample cultured in TCBS agar was sent to the Philippine Genome Center for the extraction and sequencing of the 16s rRNA gene. DNA Barcoding was done with the use of BioEdit software and BLAST. The bacteria sample cultured and subcultured in TCBS agar plates displayed green colonies, each having a diameter of 0.3 cm. The bacterial 16s rRNAgene was successfully extracted using Quick-DNA Fungal/Bacterial Miniprep Kit, amplified by PCR, and sequenced by Capillary Electrophoresis. The GenBank sequence database result displayed a 98 percent match with Pseudomonas aeruginosa 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence. This study will help assess the health of the Acropora millepora by further studying the implications of Pseudomonas aeruginosa found in its mucus.