Biochemical Characterization, 16S rRNA Sequence Analysis and Multiple Sequence Alignment of Bacteria isolated from Fermented and Unfermented Coconut

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a tropical and subtropical plant which has great versatility due to many benefits of its different parts. Appropriate methods such as biochemical, morphological, serological, physiological and molecular techniques are required to clearly differentiate beneficial from harmful bacteria that are found in coconut. The objectives of this research were to characterize bacterial diversity in coconut based on biochemical tests and molecular techniques, to study the evolutionary relationship among the bacteria isolates based on 16S rRNA BLAST analysis and Multiple Sequence Alignment. Eight bacteria isolates, 3 from fermented and 5 from non-fermented coconut were identified. Biochemical characterization, polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S rRNA using universal primers (63f-1387r), BLAST analysis and multiple sequence analysis were performed. The result indicated that the bacteria were detected as Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aggromerans, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia pickettii and Burkholderia. The first two were carbohydrate fermenting while the last three were non-fermenting bacteria. All these species are related to human pathogenicity. This can be related to hygiene in food process and handling procedures. Therefore, to favour the selective growth of beneficial bacteria, appropriate environmental hygiene is required.