• N.SUBASHINI
• M.TAMILSELVI

Tunicates / Ascidians belong to the Class Ascidiacea of the sub-phylum Urochordata are dominant members in macrobiofouling benthic community in the marine ecosystem and are placed in between invertebrates and vertebrates. These amazing sedentary creatures have the ability to accumulate more vanadium content in its body than its environment due to the presence of specialized vanadocytes in their blood. This vanadium is essential for ascidians as chemical weapon to lead a successful life in the pressurized environment. Vanadium is also an essential nutrient for some microorganisms for the functioning of nitrogenase enzymes. Hence the present study is aimed to analyse the vanadium content in selected tunicates and its effect on the growth of Azotobacter sp., in in-vitro condition. In the present study, variation in accumulation of vanadium was recorded among the members of the Class Ascidiacea. The highest accumulation was recorded in Phallusia nigra. Azotobacter sp., was isolated using Ashby’s medium and was identified by performing the biochemical tests such as Gram staining, Catalase test, Oxidase test, Citrate Utilization test, Indole test, Methyl red test, Voges Proskauer test and Triple Sugar Iron test. The growth of azotobacter species was gradually increased with increasing the concentration of dry weight of the selected tunicate and the Optical Density was measured. Besides, the pH and Indole acetic acid production was recorded in different groups, such as Group 1( Azotobacter) Group II ( Azotobacter with Standard ) and Group III ( Azotobacter enriched with tunicates). The members of the Class Ascidiacea can be used as non-conventional bioresource from the marine environment for the enrichment source of non-symbiotic bacteria, Azotobacter sp.,

Ascidians, Enrichment source, Azotobacter, Biofertilizer

"UTILIZATION OF VANADIUM BOUNTIFUL BIOFOULING TUNICATE FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF AZOTOBACTER SP., - AN ANALYSIS ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no.478-484, February-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRAB06083.pdf

"UTILIZATION OF VANADIUM BOUNTIFUL BIOFOULING TUNICATE FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF AZOTOBACTER SP., - AN ANALYSIS ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no. pp478-484, February-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRAB06083.pdf