pH stability during fermentation is associated with sustained antibacterial metabolite production in marine sediment <i>Bacillus</i> species

Abstract

Marine environments are important reservoirs of bacteria capable of producing bioactive secondary metabolites; however, many promising antimicrobial producers identified during initial screening fail to retain activity during fermentation. This study demonstrates that pH stability during fermentation, rather than pH value alone, is a key determinant of sustained antibacterial metabolite production in marine sediment-derived <i>Bacillus</i> species. By linking isolation conditions, fermentation physiology, and bioactivity outcomes, the findings provide practical guidance for improving the reliability of marine bioprospecting and antimicrobial discovery pipelines. These insights are particularly relevant for efforts to recover stable antimicrobial producers from complex environmental systems.