Diversity and Bioactivity of Cultivable Animal Fecal Actinobacteria

Microbial symbionts play important roles in food digestion and absorption, immunity, pathogens resistance, and health maintaining of their hosts by co-evolution. To provide new sources for discovering new leader compounds of drugs, the diversity and bioactivities of cultivable actinobacteria from animal feces have been studied. 31 species of animal fecal samples were collected from Yunnan Wild Animal Park. The purified cultures of actinobacteria were isolated from these samples by using 5 media. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of 528 selected strains were determined, the phylogenetic analysis was carried out, and anti-microbial and anti-tumor activities were determined. 35 genera (including a new genus, Enteractinococcus) of actinobacteria from the 31 species of animal feces were identified. Some strains had high anti-tumor and antimicrobial activities. More than 50 secondary metabolites were isolated and identified, a novel bioactive macrolactam polyketide glycoside, Sannastatin, was found. Nine fecal streptomycete strains were fermented respectively, blended to the microbial manure, and used to prophylaxis and treatment of soil-borne disease of notoginseng in field. The incidence rate of the disease was lower 81% than agricultural chemicals. Fecal actinobacteria, a possibility as a new source for discovering drug leader, agricultural chemicals and other industry products, will be discussed.