ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POTENTIAL ANTIBIOTIC-PRODUCING BACILLUS AND ACTINOMYCETES FROM UNDISTURBED AND CONTAMINATED SOILS FROM NORTH MACEDONIA

Abstract

The Actinomycetes and Bacillus are diversely distributed microorganisms in nature. The geographical diversity of North Macedonia is suitable for adaptation of various species of these bacteria. Also, the distribution of the actinomycetes and Bacillus is dependent upon the altitude, nature and contamination of the soil. The goal of this study was to determine how common culturable antibiotic-producing Actinomycetes and Bacillus bacteria are in undisturbed and contaminated sites. A total of 5 soil samples were collected from different regions of North Macedonia and were processed. Different isolates were characterized by observing colony characteristics and microscopic characteristics. Screening of the antimicrobial property was based upon perpendicular line streaking method. From the identification tool used, 120 were found to be Bacillus spp., 112 were Actinomycetes. Out of total samples, 28 isolates of Actinomycetes and 26 isolates of Bacillus spp. were tested effective against the tested bacteria by primary screening using the cross streak method. Among the primarily screened, the Actinomycetes and Bacillus spp. from undisturbed sites showed better antimicrobial properties towards the tested bacteria that the ones from the contaminated sites. In summary, antibiotic-producing microorganisms were found in most soils even by using a relatively limited screening assay.