Actinomycetes community from starch factory wastewater

Abstract

The aim of the research was to study the biodiversity, antimicrobial activity and ability to degrade starch among selected actinomycetes isolates from starch wastewater of rice vermicelli factory. Thirty distinct actinomycetes were identified using their 16S rDNA sequences. Twenty eight strains were classified as Streptomyces spp. and two other as Norcardia spp. Each of the actinomycetes isolates was tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of other indicator strains, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and other two and three phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi. Only one isolate designated WPS132, displayed inhibitory properties against both tested phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this strain was genetically closely related to S. antibioticus strain HBUM 174911. The isolates were also tested for their ability to degrade starch. All strains were capable of degrading starch but strain WPS005 showed the highest amylase production at 32.4 U mL -1 . We concluded that actinomycetes can be found abundantly from wastewater of the rice vermicelli factory, however, isolates with antimicrobial activities were observed at a low frequency. © 2011 Academic Journals inc.