Identification and distribution of antimicrobial- active marine bacteria along the heavily polluted coastal area of Alexandria, Egypt

The main objective of the present study was to screen, identify and to study distribution of marine bacteria with antimicrobial activity in the heavily polluted coast of Alexandria, Egypt. The highest bacterial density positively correlated with pollution strength and localized in the central part of the coast in both water and sediments. Thirty four active bacterial isolates dominating the water and sediments of six highly polluted sites during winter and spring were identified. The most promising active bacterial strain was molecularly characterized as Enterococcus S29. Results confirmed the superiority and richness of the local coastal environment of Alexandria with active bacteria consisting up to 30.43% of sea water and 36.36% of sediments populations respectively at specific sites. These results provide an excellent potential for manipulating such natural and renewable source in the production of new and active antimicrobial agents for pharmaceutical applications.