Sea mud slurry an alternative biomaterial in Obvara firing: Investigation of the indigenous halophilic microflora

Till now not much study was conducted on sea mud especially those around Penang island, Malaysia. Recently, sea mud clumps were found strewn all over the shores of Batu Ferringhi beach in Penang due to strong tidal currents. As continuous pursuits for feasible and sustainable biomaterials are ongoing, the sea mud clumps were collected and its indigenous halophilic microflora was investigated, in regards to potential use in Obvara firing technique. The pH of Penang sea mud was found to be 8.01, slightly basic, due to industrial activities. The culturability of microflora in the sea mud slurry of Batu Ferringhi beach was investigated by using nutrient agar supplemented with sodium chloride (35 g/L) as the growth medium. In assessing the microflora populations present, it was found that an assortment of bacteria, protists and flat worm larvae inhabit this biomaterial. The indigenous halophilic microflora found were mainly Gram positive and Gram negative bacilli, Gram negative coccobacillus, several types of diatoms, flat worm larvae, tintinnid, scenedesmus, paramecium, euglena, Haematococcus sp., volvox and radiolaria.