Isolation and Screening of Marine Actinomycetes from Mangrove Soil for Bioactive Compound Production

Abstract

The mangrove ecosystem is a largely unexplored source for actinomycetes with the potential to produce biologically active secondary metabolites. The present study addressed the physico-chemical properties of mangrove soil and screening of potent actinomycete isolates for bioactive compound production. The mangrove soil was collected from coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, India, and tested for physical properties, colour, odour, and water-holding capacity; pH and electrical conductivity; and chemical properties, such as Carbon, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Iron, and copper contents. The findings highlighted that mangroves are rich in organic matter and nutrients, providing an ideal habitat for actinomycete formation. A potent Actinomycetes isolated and selective media, Strach casein agar, International Streptomycin Project media (ISP2), and Actinomycetes isolation agar media (AIA), and identified as Streptomyces enissocaesilis based on cultural, morphological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics. The primary screening was performed using an antibiotic sensitivity assay on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, demonstrating that significant inhibitory activity indicates the antimicrobial properties of the bioactive compound produced by Streptomyces enissocaesilis.