Isolation and Screening of Antimicrobial and Extracellular Pigment Producing Actinomycetes from Chambal Territory of Madya Pradesh Region, India

Objective: In the present study, the objective is to isolate, characterize, and study of biological activity of pigment-producing actinomycetes. Methods: Samples were collected from rhizosphere soil of Chambal territory and other parts of Madhya Pradesh regions. Screening of actinomycetes was done on the basis of pigment diffusion ability in International Streptomycetes Project media. Characterization of the actinomycete was made by scanning electron microscopy and 16s rRNA molecular sequencing. The antimicrobial activity of selected actinomycete was done by overlay agar method and well agar diffusion method against various pathogenic microorganisms. Results: Among 85 actinomycetes isolates, only AR-ITM02 showed pigment-producing and diffusion 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 antimicrobial activities against various pathogens. Conclusion: These significant results make Streptomyces suitable for further investigation and industrial exploitation. The present investigation reveals that Chambal territory region of Madhya Pradesh has great ability to produce potent actinomycetes, which possess pigment-production and antimicrobial activities against various pathogens.