ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ACTINOBACTERIA FROM POINT CALIMERE COASTAL REGION, EAST COAST OF INDIA

Abstract

The marine environment is a potential source of secondary metabolites, which provides sustainable source of supply for developing novel pharmaceutical leads. A total of 192 actinomycetes colonies were isolated from near shore marine environment of Point Calimere, East Coast of India. Among them, 68 isolates were morphologically distinct on the basis of spore mass colour, reverse side colour, aerial and substrate mycelia formation and production of diffusible pigment. Antimicrobial activities of isolates were also tested against various bacterial and fungal pathogens. Of 68 isolates, 25 (36.8%) isolates had antimicrobial activity, among 25 antimicrobial compound producers, 22 (88%) isolates could inhibit bacterial pathogens, 16 (64%) isolates was possessed antifungal activity, and 13 (52%) isolates inhibit both bacterial and fungal pathogens. The results of the present investigation revealed that, the marine actinomycetes from the Point Calimere, east coast of India are a potential source of novel antibiotic leads.