Unveiling the Antimicrobial Potential of 28 Actinomycetes

Researchers from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH's Department Bioresources for Bioeconomy and Health Research, under the direction of Dr. Imen Nouioui and Professor Dr. Yvonne Mast, have characterized 28 actinomycetes and examined their potential for biotechnology.

The study's findings demonstrate that all actinomycetes inhibit a panel of test yeasts and bacteria. The researchers published their results in the journal Current Research in Microbial Sciences.

Many Actinomycetes Hide a Biotechnological Potential

Actinomycetes are bacteria known to produce bioactive compounds. These bacteria were the initial source of two-thirds of the antibiotics currently used. The actinomycetes under investigation were added to the DSMZ collection decades ago, but they have not yet been thoroughly described.

The researchers examined the capacity of 28 actinomycetes to synthesize natural compounds and demonstrated that they have an inhibitory effect on a subset of other bacteria. These include germs on the World Health Organization's Bacterial Priority Pathogens List that are clinically significant and resistant to antibiotics. There are around 6,000 strains in the DSMZ's actinomycetes collection, some of which have not yet undergone additional analysis.

Our study shows that we still have many undiscovered treasures at our institute. The search for new active substances is extremely important, particularly in light of the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. We are conducting thorough research on these strains to create added value on them and, among other goals, provide producers of potentially new active substances to the scientific community.”

Yvonne Mast, Microbiologist, Leibniz Institute

Naming the Newly Described Bacteria after Female Scientists

Modern techniques were used to analyze the actinomycetes as part of the investigation. The findings led to the first formal naming and complete description of 26 actinomycetes. This work is especially significant because it emphasizes how crucial it is to identify and categorize strains accurately.

It also emphasizes how vital culture collections are in maintaining intriguing strains that can be useful to a broad spectrum of the scientific community. One of the researchers' top priorities was to close the gender gap in taxonomy.

In the past, female researchers have rarely been considered, and the majority of microorganisms have been named after male researchers. As a result, all 26 of the recently described actinomycetes were named after female scientists who have significantly advanced the discipline of microbiology.