Evaluation of the anticancer potential of marine bacteria isolated from a New Caledonia's extreme environment

Marine microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi are well-known for being a source of bioactive natural products with the advantage of sustainable production of these secondary metabolites. In order to evaluate their bioactivity against human cancer cell lines, we have proceeded to the isolation and characterization of 5 marine bacteria associated with a sponge, a coral, a bryozoan and a tunicate from a New Caledonia's extreme environment. Samples of macroorganisms were collected in a hydrothermal site (fluid temperature: 27°C, pH: 11 and salinity: 2g/L) at a bathymetry of about 38 meters. Bacterial cultures in Marine Broth were incubated at 30°C; growth curves for each bacteria as well as gram and motility status (swarming, swimming and twitching) were determined. Mid polar and high polar automated extractions of lyophilized bacterial media were performed with dichloromethane and methanol respectively. Extracts were then screened for their biological activity using HeLa cells. Identification of these bacteria is in progress. Our work may lead to the finding of new bacterial species and/or new therapeutics agents.