Biochemical and molecular profiling of indigenous Xenorhahdus isolates associated with Steinernema spp

Bacterial symbionts were obtained from entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae, S, riobrave, S. feltiae and S. tami, and identified as belonging to Xenorhahdus species by subjecting to biochemical characterization. The Xenorhabdus isolates were further characterized for their interspecific variation by protein profiling and RFLP analysis of 16S rDNA. The protein profiles recorded discernible differences with protein distribution ranging from 97Kda to 14Kda, but most of the fragments were common to all isolates. RFLP analysis of 16S rDNA of the isolates using eight restriction enzymes showed the distinctness of isolates and based on the restriction enzyme patterns, the isolates were grouped into two clusters. The study showed that a combination of biochemical and molecular techniques could be used for the identification and characterization of Xeiiorhahtlns isolates.