POTENTIAL OF PSYCHROTROPHIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM SIACHEN GLACIER, PAKISTAN, TO PRODUCE ANTIMICROBIAL METABOLITES

This is the first study of recovery and characterization of fungi from ice, sediments and water samples collected from Siachen glacier, Himalaya Range, Pakistan. The isolation and Total Viable count (CFU/ml or g) was carried out by spread plate technique at 4 degrees C and 15 degrees C. Seventeen fungal isolates were obtained and identified by analysis of 18S rRNA ITS region. Most frequently isolated fungal isolates were Leotiomycetes sp., followed by Thelebolus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Trichoderma, Periconia, Geomyces, Cryptococcus and Pueraria. All isolates were found halophilic and they were able to tolerate NaCl concentration up to 10-20%. Some isolates showed viability at 45 degrees C and most of the isolates were able to grow at pH 1- 13. All isolates were screened for their antimicrobial activity against clinically isolated bacterial and fungal strains but they showed good antimicrobial activity against Gram (+) bacteria. None of the fungal isolates inhibited Gram negative clinically isolated Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia but few were able to inhibit Gram positive bacterial and fungal strains. Fungal isolates were also screened for production of extracellular enzymes (amylase, cellulase, deoxyribonuclease, lipase, phosphatase and protease). Various isolates were good producers of cellulase, lipase and protease whereas only 2 out of 17 produced DNase and 4 produced phosphatase.