Isolation and characterization of an endolichenic actinobacterium from the lichen thallus of Pseudocyphellaria berberina

Abstract

Recent research has shown that lichenized fungi, which constitute a symbiotic association between a fungus and an algae and/or cyanobacteria, could be a source of biotechnologically interesting microorganisms, including actinobacteria. Studies conducted on lichenized microecosystems in the Andean region (Patagonia, Argentina) showed the isolation of twenty-three strains of actinobacteria, belonging to different genera, coming from the lichen Pseudocyphellaria berberina (Ascomycota). The aim of this work was to complement these studies by means of a polyphasic approach (morpho-physiological, chemical and molecular characterization) in order to describe a new endolichenic Pseudonocardia (Actinobacteria) strain BCRU MITI 22 (= DSM 46833). The study of cultivable actinobacteria isolated from lichen could contribute to a better interpretation of the physiological functions of these organisms within the “lichen microbiome”.