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Page No. : 91-96

ABSTRACT

Sixteen isolates of Aeromonas species (13 from raw milk and 3 from pasteurized milk) were isolated from different geographic locations and processed for plasmid profile study. Plasmid isolation and their characterization was undertaken by alkaline lysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. Out of 16 isolates studied for plasmid profile, 15 revealed one to five plasmid fragments of varying molecular size. Molecular weights of plasmid DNAs were between 53.10 kb and 7.76 kb. Range for each isolate was also recorded; for A. hydrophila 53.10 to 46.77 kb; A. sobria 53.10 kb to 7.76 kb. A. caviae 53.10 kb to 17.78 kb and A. veronii biovar veronii 46.77 kb to 8.12 kb. There was one plasmid DNA having higher molecular size (more than 53.10 kb) in some bacterial isolates. Multiple banding pattern of plasmid DNA was recorded. Eight different patterns of plasmids were obtained with reference to molecular size from 15 plasmid bearing isolates of Aeromonas species. Importance of plasmid profile as a valuable epidemiological tool is discussed.

Keywords: Aeromonas, milk, plasmid