Advances in Biology & Earth Sciences

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are chronic wounds frequently complicated by multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Marine organisms, especially coral gorgonians like Ellisella sp., harbor diverse symbiotic bacteria with promising bioactive properties. The study objective was to investigate the in vitro anti-bacterial potential and hydrolytic enzyme production of bacteria associated with Ellisella sp. against the P. aeruginosa pathogenic strain. Anti-bacterial activity was assessed using the plug agar diffusion method against clinical P. aeruginosa strains. While hydrolytic enzyme assays were conducted on the assay plates with different selective media. Selected isolates were then identified molecularly. NRPS, PKS-I and PKS-II genes were detected through the PCR method. The result showed that three of the 15 Ellisella-associated bacterial isolates, KGE01, KGE13 and KGE15, exhibited antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa. Enzyme assays revealed that the selected isolate (KGE-15) secreted active hydrolytic enzymes (amylases), potentially beneficial for biofilm disruption and the wound surgical process. Molecular identification showed that the KGE15 isolate has the closest similarity to Acinetobacter soli. No NRPS and PKS genes were detected, except the PKS-II gene. Hence, bacteria associated with Ellisella sp. demonstrate significant anti-bacterial and enzymatic activities against P. aeruginosa, indicating their potential as alternative therapeutic agents.