Actinomycetes

Background

Actinomycetes is a nontaxonomic term for a group of common soil microorganisms sometimes called "thread or ray bacteria." Actinomycetes are a versatile group of Gram positive, rod shaped and spore forming bacteria widely distributed in the terrestrial and aquatic environments. The specialty of the actinomycetes is that they have a mycelial appearance unlike most bacteria. This group of bacteria is well known for their ability to produce a range of bioactive molecules, including antibiotics and various kinds of enzymes. As they are known for their ability to produce various antibiotics, the actinomycetes are widely explored by various research groups in search of novel drug molecules. Since the cultivation and maintenance of actinobacteria are not that easy as in the case of other bacteria, they are rather underexplored. Actinomycetes are prokaryotic organisms that are classified as bacteria, but are unique enough to be discussed as an individual group. Actinomycetes are prokaryotic organisms that are classified as bacteria, but are unique enough to be discussed as an individual group.

Significance

Actinomycetes play an key role in the break down of various organic materials in soil. Their role in the decomposition of plant and other material especially in the degradation of complex and relatively recalcitrant polymers is hugely important. Lignin, cellulose and lignocellulose are all examples of what they degrade. There is evidence that actinomycetes are involved in the degradation of many other naturally occurring polymers in soil such as hemicellulose, pectin, keratin, chitin and fungal cell wall material [1]. Given that they help recycle materials that can be used by plants, it is beneficial in agriculture practices. They also produce a variety of enzymes that are useful in various industries, such as the medical industry. Another significance of these bacteria is that from the rhizosphere, they suppress the growth of pathogens. Since they produce various bioactive metabolites that are used to produce various drugs (antifungal, anti-parasitic and antibiotics etc).

References

• [1] C. Dilip V., Mulaje S. S., Mohalkar R.Y. 2013, May. A REVIEW ON ACTINOMYCETES AND THEIR BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATION | International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences And Research.