Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) compose a group of diverse, motile prokaryotes that have the ability to passively align themselves along earth’s geomagnetic field due to the presence of intracellular organelles called magnetosomes. From literature study we came to know that Lonar lake is a rich source of diverse species of magnetotactic bacteria. So we selected this ecosystem for the isolation of magnetotactic bacteria. We collected water samples from the Lonar Lake and were used for the isolation of magnetotactic bacteria. In the present work, we isolated the magnetotactic bacteria, from lonar lake sample and confirmed it by using hanging drop technique and Agar plate method. Their response to a magnetic field was observed employing the ‘hanging drop technique’ under a microscope and use of a semisolid medium. The bacteria showed a typical response in the form of movement towards the respective magnetic poles and precise alignment at the edge of hanging drop. Biochemical identification of isolated magnetotactic bacteria was done by performing various tests like Gram’s staining, Catalase, oxidase, nitrate reduction, sugar fermentation test, starch hydrolysis, casein hydrolysis, growth at different temperatures and pH, etc. Also, magnetosomes were isolated from these magnetotactic bacteria and which was confirmed by FTIR analysis to ensure the presence of Fe-O group.
