Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-7, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Applications of Endophytic Actinomycetes and Their Role in Protection *Sayeed Ahmad1, Syed Salman Abbas1, Ravi Prakash1 Aftab Alam1 & Mohammad Ajmal Husain1. 1Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India-226026 Abstract: Actinomycetes are one of the most the knowledge concerning the pathway of lignin striking sources of antibiotics and other degradation by white root basidiomycetes, biologically dynamic substances of high viable phnerochateschryo-sosporium. Where it is a value. It account approximately for two-thirds of complex secondary metabolic procees mediated by the total known antibiotics isolated from these the action of several extra-cellular enzyme gram positive, branched spores bearing followed by lactase and manganese peroxidase filamentous group of Eubacteria with notorious (Adhi, T. P., et al 1987) were the first group to bacto-fungoid morphology. Among the identify and characterize LiP from actinomycetes. actinomycetes, Streptomyces spp. has been the Actinomycetes are less abundant in water logged most profuse sources of all types of antibiotics. and acidic soils, and may be present in higher than Screening and isolation of capable strains of normal numbers in drier, alkaline soils. Although actinomycetes with prospective antibiotics is still a they are classified as bacteria, they are fungus like thrust area of research and it is recommended that in appearance and growth. Whereas most bacteria the explorations of resources from new areas and grow by asexual fission of individual cells, the habitat have a key role to play in the search for vegetative cells of most actinomycetes produce novel microbes and fresh metabolites and is vital to slender, branchedfilaments, or hyphae that are offset the threats posed by the fast rising collectively termed mycelia. These structures are occurrence of antibiotic resistance. Counting the smaller and of a different morphology and endophytic actinomycetes in the race of investigate composition than their fungal counterparts. Within along the actinomycetes, endophytes have been these hyphae forms asexual spores called conidia; established to improve and promote growth of the spores are formed when conditions are no swarm plants as well as to decrease disease longer optimal for vegetative growth, and symptoms caused by plant pathogens and/or germinate when conditions are again favourable. various environmental stresses. The low stress Actinomycetes are heterotrophic, and are valuable tolerance of axenic plants is normally believed to decomposers of organic matter in soil communities. result partially from the deficiency of endophytic Members of the Streptomycetes family of actinomycetes. Not only to the plants; they even actinomycetes, which includes Streptomyces, are produces abundant bioactive compounds which are responsible for production of the compound of human being benefit. causing the musty odour prominent in freshly turned soils; many also produce antibiotics that Keywords: Endophytic actinomycetes, Bioactive inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi compounds, Morphology, Characterization, (Alexander,1977; Locci, 1989). They are defined to Bioremediation. be organism producing extensively primary or substrate mycelium as well as more or less INTRODUCTION abundant secondary or aerial mycelium. In the The diversity analysis of the actinomycetes is well course of the Streptomycetes life cycle the hyphae recognized, due to the sustained generation of are partially transformed into chain of spores which environment isolates for pharmaceutical screening are often called as conidia or arthrospore. During and much interest was given to this group of the same period studied on the chemical organism over the year for obtaining antibiotic composition of the cell wall began helped to compound. Beside antibiotic production, another classify the actinomycetes(Becker et al., 1964, important trait of actinomycetes that has been 1965; Lechevalier and Lechevalier, 1970) they studied is their ability to degrade lignin- the most clearly demonstrated that Streptomyces and other complex bipolar. Biodegradation of lignin has been genera contained LL-diaminopimelic acid (LL- considered as significant phenomenons since it A2pm) in its peptidoglycan where as meso-A3pm play a critical role in the carbon cycling. Most of exists in the other actinomycetes. Member of the Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 854 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-7, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Streptomycetes are now primarily recognized by Taxanomy of genus Actinomycetes the structure of their peptidoglycan. Peptidoglycan About a decade ago a genus called actinomycetes is of type A3γ containing an inter peptide bridge was shaped it clearly separated from the other composed of a glycine residue (Schliefer and genera so before study about streptomycetes in Kandler, 1972). Further taxonomist also have general. The actinomycetes are a numerous and studied biochemical characters such as pattern of widely distribution group of soil microorganism, sugar in the whole cell hydrolysates(Lechevalier composing of 10 to 50% of the soil and Lechevalier, 1970), phospholipids (Lechevalier mirofloracommunity over a broad range of soil et al., 1970), fatty acids (Kroppenstedt, condition, with streptomyces the numerically 1985),menaquinone(Alderson et al., Kroppenstedt, dominant genus (Alexander, 1977). In taxonomy, a 1985) etc. Beside their importance in the medical large amount awareness has been given recently to microbiology now the scientist are switching over the base composition of deoxyribonucleic acids to the roots where they are looking for the other (DNA) of various organisms. Actinomycetes as a properties specially related to agriculture .From last whole, form homogenous group with high G+C three decades the people are working in many ratio (65.5 to 74%). Some applied field where they are reporting other thermophilicActinomycetes have lower ratio (44 to features such as, ability to bio degrade, plant 53%). Much of this information has reviewed by growth promoting activities etc. Most soil Hill. In the recent taxonomic Actinomycetes in actinomycetes also behave as neutrophiles in Berger’s Manual of systematic bacteriology (2nd culture, growing between pH5.0 and 9.0 with an edition).Actinomycetes are included under volume optimum close to neutrality. As many soils are 4rth published in 2007. (George M.Garrity, Editor- acidic Ph is clearly a major factor determining their in-Chief springer, 2001, New York). According to distribution and activity; it has been known for this approach the G+C gram positive bacteria are many years that acidic soil yield low count of classified under class-Actinobacteria of phylum neutrophilic actinomycetes (Waksman, Actinobacteria. This phylum includes five 1959).However acidophilic and acido duric subclasses, six order, fourteen suborder, thirty nine streptomycetes, the former growing between about families streptomycetaceae of Actinomycetes, pH (Williams et al ;) and to produce diastases and which includes streptomyces are responsible for chitinase with pH optima lower than those of production of the compound causing the musty enzyme from neutrophiles. The presence of low odour well-known in freshly tuned soil many number of neutrophilicstreptomycetes may be due produce antibiotics that restrain the growth of to the localized occurrence of less acidic micro bacteria and fungi (Alexander,1977; Locci 1989). sites and to the resistance of their spores to acidity. When chitin or dead fungal mycelium were added Characterization of Endophytic Actinomycetes to a badly buffered acidic soil, a succession from Morphological characterization. acidophiles to neutrophiles occurred that paralleled Although actinomycetes are classified as bacteria, ammonification and the consequent rise in pH. they are fungus like in appearance and growth. Whereas most bacteria grow by asexual fission of Identification of actinomycetes individual cell, the vegetative cells of most The following points may help in identifying the actinomycetes produce slender, branched filaments, actinomycetes on dilution plates: or hyphae that are collectively mycelia. These 1. Most the actinomycetes contain colonies structures are smaller and of a different of whites gray or black powdery surface morphology and composition than their whereas bacterial colonies are of different counterparts. Its hyphae structure asexual spore colors shiny surface and gummy called conidia; the spore are formed when appearance. condition no longer optimal for vegetative growth, and germinate when condition favourable. Thus by 2. Generally bacteria have lens or lemon morphology of aerial and vegetative mycelia shaped colonies with very thin surface. actinomycetes can characterized. 3. Mostly the actinomycetes colonies can be Microscopic Characterization observed without microscope and have a Aerial mycelium including the chain of distinct hollow with a darker interior spores (arthrospore /conidiospore)- while bacteria do not. The arthrospore although by definition vegetative mycelium on solid medium is not 4. Actinomycetes colonies are firmer than fragmented .In some of the bacteria when picked with a sharp needle. Streptomycetesformation of the spore chain at the edge of the mycelium growth can be observed.