Biological Screening and Chemical Profiling of Actinomycete Strains Isolated from Extreme Environment

Sana Bukhari, Adeela Fatima, Ashba Hassan and Imran Sajid

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to isolate the antibiotic producing actinomycetes strains from the desert soil of the District Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of twenty one actinomycetes strains were isolated from desert soil and were characterized morphologically, physiologically and biochemically. The
16S rRNA sequencing of three isolates (Q2-A, Q2-S and Q2-12) recognized them as different species of the genus Streptomyces. Conventional methods of biological screening including; cross streaked, agar plug and well diffusion assay were used to screen the bioactive actinomycetes strains against MDR bacterial
pathogens. The remarkable antimicrobial activity against (multi-drug resistant) MDR pathogens was observed through the well diffusion method by using methanolic crude extracts of isolated actinomycetes. The techniques of TLC and HPLC were used for chemical screening. Overall the desert actinomycetes
isolated in this study has the potential of inhibiting the multi-drug resistant pathogenic strains like MRSA, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas etc. So the extreme desert environment holds the valuable actinomycetes in its habitat which could be valuable in getting new antimicrobial compounds.