Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Streptomyces sp. MS14Producing Antibiotics from Soil of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The rising incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens underscores the urgent need for novel antibiotic sources. Soil-dwelling actinomycetes, particularly members of the genus Streptomyces, are well-established producers of diverse secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties. In this study, a novel actinomycete isolate, designated MS14, was recovered from soil samples collected from forest-rich regions of Durg, Chhattisgarh, India. The isolate demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, producing inhibition zones of 19±0.5 mm against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), 22±0.5 mm against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and 17±0.5 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) respectively. Comprehensive characterization of the isolate MS14, including morphological, biochemical, physiological, and chemotaxonomic analyses, supported its classification. Further identification using PIB-Win software yielded a high confidence match (similarity index: 0.99) with Streptomyces atroolivaceus. These findings highlight the untapped microbial diversity of the Durg District’s Forest soil and its potential as a valuable reservoir for antibiotic-producing actinomycetes.