Potential of Actinomycetes as Bioremediating and Biocontrolling Agents

Deepika Tiwari; Praveesh Bhati; Preeti Das; Shobha Shouche

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Potential of Actinomycetes as Bioremediating and Biocontrolling Agents

Deepika Tiwari, Praveesh Bhati, Preeti Das, Shobha Shouche

Abstract :

Bioremediation and antibiotic resistance are one of the hot areas of research due to increased level of toxic compounds added to the environment and adaptation of defence mechanisms in microbes to current use antibiotics. Technologies in bioremediation are continuously being improved using naturally occurring microorganisms to clean residues and contaminated areas from toxic organic compounds. In most of the publications, Actinomycetes, types of filamentous bacteria are discussed separately as they play a major role in decomposition. They are widely distributed in soils and manmade environment such as compost heaps. As degradation agents, actinomycetes are important in the degradation of soil organic materials into humus. They secrete a range of enzymes that can completely degrade all the components. They are known for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites. The rapid development of drug resistance strains of pathogens has increased the demands for inventions of novel drugs and antibiotics. For this reason, many researchers have vigorously involved in isolation and screening of actinomycetes from diverse and even unexplored habitats, for their production of antibiotics. The potential of actinomycetes as bioremediation and secondary metabolite production has open exciting avenues in the field of biotechnology and biomedical research.