Occurrence of Sponges Associated Streptomyces and its Antimicrobial Activity

Sponges are host organisms for various symbiotic microorganisms such as Archea, Bacteria, Cyanobacteria and Microalgae. Sponges associated microorganisms are sources of wide variety of useful natural products like cytotoxins, antifouling agents, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antiviral compounds. Nearly 96 strains of Streptomyces were found to be associated with four species of marine sponges but only 28 stains were selected for antimicrobial activity. Among that four strains showed antagonistic property against pathogens like Vibrio cholerae, E. coli and Psuedomonas spp. by spot inoculation method. The inhibition zones of 10-15 mm were recorded. In vitro screening of the submerge culture extracts showed more than 10 to 30 mm of inhibition zone against Vibrio cholerae, E. coli and Psuedomonas spp. If these symbiotic Streptomyces strains from which some natural products are derived can be cultured, the Streptomyces strains could be used in a mass production of the bioactive compounds. The results indicated that Streptomyces strains isolated from of marine sponges produced antibacterial substances against harmful pathogens.