Actinomycetes isolated from soils collected in adjacent areas of Hochiminh city: sources of potential antibiotics

Abstract

Actinomycetes are Gram-positive bacteria resembling filamentous fungi in shape. The majority of natural antibiotics useful today are obtained from actinomycetes. This study isolated actinomycetes from soil samples collected in adjacent areas of HoChiMinh City, Việt Nam. One of the isolates was Streptomyces flaveus determined using 16S rDNA sequencing method. S. flaveus was capable of inhibiting the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, especially the Staphylococcus aureus and its multi-antibiotic resistant form – the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is at present a serious threat to human health not only in Vietnam but also in many other countries around the world. However, antibiotics indicated for the treatment of diseases caused by the MRSA are currently not much effective. Thus, S. flaveus in this study will be a source of potential antibiotics against diseases caused by the MRSA.