Antibacterial producing actinomycetes from Extra Andean Patagonia

Abstract

Extra-Andean Patagonia is a vast area in South America witharid soils and vegetation. Desiccation, high salinity and UV radiation ofthis region are considered positive factors for the isolation ofbioactive strains. In the present study, this environment was screenedfor the first time for antibacterial producing actinomycetes. Theisolated strains included members of the genera Streptomyces,Micromonospora, Microbacterium, Nocardia, Dermacoccus, and Dietzia. Amongthem, four antibacterial producers belonging to the genus Streptomyceswere detected and one isolate belonging to the genus Micromonosporaharbored the 3-amino 5-hydroxybenzoic acid synthase gene involved in theproduction of ansamycin-like compounds. The most promising isolate,Streptomyces sp. SUE01, produced pigmented antibiotics from thegranaticin class. Since these types of metabolites have been previouslyisolated from strains growing in desert environments, a relationshipbetween prevailing environmental factors in arid ecosystems and secondarymicrobial metabolism could be suggested.