Screening and Characterisation of Antibacterial Actinomycetes Isolated From Earthworm

Neethu M.C.; Namitha Bhas; Anjana J.C.

Abstract

The actinomycetes are considered to be the most potent source for the production of secondary metabolites, antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. The present study dealt with the isolation of the actinomycetes from the earthworm, Eisenia fetida. The actinomycetes were identified using slide culture technique and various biochemical tests. The isolates (S1 and S2) showed activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in primary screening by perpendicular streak method. In primary screening the isolate S2 highly inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas sp. The antibacterial metabolites were extracted using the solvent ethyl acetate to the culture filtrate in the ratio (1:1). The secondary screening by agar well diffusion method was also performed against organisms like E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., Klebsiella sp. and Bacillus sp. The metabolites were further analyzed by TLC and FTIR techniques. The extract was evaluated for antioxidant activity using DPPH method with ascorbic acid as the standard. The extract show high antioxidant activity (65%) than ascorbic acid (52%). Thus the actinomycetes isolated from an alternative source should be further exploited to be pursued as sources of novel bioactive secondary metabolites. Keywords: Actinomycetes, bioactive, earthworm, perpendicular streak, FTIR.Cite this ArticleNeethu M.C., Namitha Bhas, Anjana J.C. Screening and Characterisation of Antibacterial Actinomycetes Isolated From Earthworm. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2019; 9(1): 77–84p.