Abstract
Even though marine biofouling is the most common life form of microorganisms, it is understudied, especially on the Moroccan coast. This work aimed at the molecular identification of bacteria from the biofilm of the marine environment of the central Atlantic coast of Morocco. It assessed the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and heavy metals, whilst also highlighted the reciprocal relationship between the environment and bacteria and their impact on human health. The study was conducted by analysing the formation of young biofilms on glass, plastic, and metal, as well as examining natural biofouling recovered from different materials (wood, metal and plastic) found in the intertidal zone of the Anza coast, city of Agadir. Bacteria were recuperated, purified and identified via biochemical and 16S rRNA methods. Then resistances to antibiotics and heavy metals were determined by the antibiogram method, and microdilution, respectively. The results showed a rich bacterial biodiversity of marine biofilms, which vary according to the support material of the biofilm (wood, metals or plastics). The abundance of bacteria was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on plastic (44.75%) than on wood (30.5%) and metal (24.75%). The biofilms harboured pathogenic species, such as Staphylococcus pasteuri, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica. The resistance varied among bacterial species. However, all bacteria were resistant to amoxicillin, amikacin, gentamicin, manganese and zinc. These results constitute new data. Whilst the biofilms of the Anza coast are home to rich bacterial biodiversity, some bacteria pose health and environmental hazards due to their pathogenicity to antibiotics and heavy metals.
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The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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We thank Ibno Zohr university and the faculty of sciences for the help provided during the sampling periods.
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NEO designed the experiments, collected data, performed the analysis, wrote the draft, reviewed the paper. FEG helped in analysis of data. BY supervised the work, designed the experiments and reviewed the draft. AZ supervised the work, designed the experiments and reviewed the draft.
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El-Ouahmani, N., El-Ghazouani, F., Yacoubi, B. et al. Bacterial biofilm from the central Moroccan Atlantic coast: genetic identification and antibiotic and heavy metal resistance profile. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 21, 1937–1948 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05067-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05067-5