International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary

Food spoilage remains a major challenge in food safety, leading to significant economic losses and health risks. This study investigates the isolation and characterization of specialized bacteria from sediments of Dhan Talav, Nargol (Gujarat), using Winogradsky columns to simulate natural sediment gradients and enrich metabolically diverse microbial communities. Over seven weeks of incubation, distinct aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic zones developed within the columns, with black layers indicating active sulfate-reducing bacteria. Anaerobic sediments were selectively enriched in Lyndby medium, and bacterial isolates were purified and characterized using Gram staining, morphological observation, and biochemical assays. The isolates were Gram-positive rods with metabolic traits such as positive methyl red reactions and sugar fermentation. To assess spoilage potential, isolates were inoculated into nutrient broth containing fish muscle, and microbial growth was tracked over 48 hours using OD₆₀₀ measurements. Fish samples inoculated with the isolates showed significantly elevated OD₆₀₀ values compared to controls, confirming spoilage activity. This study demonstrates the utility of Winogradsky columns as an effective, low-cost enrichment technique for isolating food spoilage-associated bacteria from environmental samples. By bridging environmental and food microbiology, these findings offer valuable insights for developing sustainable spoilage monitoring methods and natural preservation strategies to improve food quality and safety.