ISOLATION AND SCREENING OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND EXTRACELLULAR PIGMENT-PRODUCING ACTINOMYCETES FROM CHAMBAL TERRITORY OF MADYA PRADESH REGION, INDIA

In the present study, the objective is to isolate, characterize, and study of biological activity of pigment-producing actinomycetes. Samples werecollected from rhizosphere soil of Chambal territory and other parts of Madhya Pradesh regions. Screening of actinomycetes was done on the basisof pigment diffusion ability in International Streptomycetes Project media. Characterization of the actinomycete was made by scanning electronmicroscopy and 16s rRNA molecular sequencing. The antimicrobial activity of selected actinomycete was done by overlay agar method and well agardiffusion method against various pathogenic microorganisms. Among 85 actinomycetes isolates, only AR-ITM02 showed pigment-producing anddiffusion ability in media. The Gram-staining and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the linear chain structure of actinomycete. Morphological,biochemical, and molecular analysis confirmed the isolate belong to genus Streptomyces. Streptomyces isolate has also shown notable antimicrobialactivities against various pathogens. These significant results make Streptomyces suitable for further investigation and industrial exploitation. Thepresent investigation reveals that Chambal territory region of Madhya Pradesh has great ability to produce potent actinomycetes, which possesspigment-production and antimicrobial activities against various pathogens.Keywords: Actinomycetes, Pathogenic microorganisms, Pigments, Scanning electron microscopy