Actinomycetes in Hypogean Environments

Abstract

Most hypogean environments particularly caves, are characterized by a stable temperature, usually in the range of 10±15 ± C, and high relative humidity. These ecosystems, when an allochthonous input of organic matter is present, seem to favor the growth of heterotrophic bacteria, from which actinomycetes predominate. Streptomyces species are particularly abundant and, in some cases, can be found as monospecific colonies. The mechanisms involved in colonization and growth are unknown, but microclimate and carbon sources can play an important role.

Diversity and biosynthetic potential of culturable aerobic heterotrophic bacteria isolated from Magura Cave, Bulgaria

“…Bacterial communities in the cave Škocjanske Jame (Slovenia) contained Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae, low proportions of Gram-positive bacteria, and practically no culturable Actinobacteria (Gerič et al, 2004). Contrary to our findings for Magura Cave, Actinobacteria are a dominant group in heterotrophic bacterial communities in many caves (Groth & Saiz-Jimenez, 1999). Most of the isolated Actinobacteria could be assigned to the genus Streptomyces in certain caves such as Grotta dei Cervi (Italy), Altamira and Tito Bustillo (Spain), and 19 karstic caves in Turkey (Groth et al, , 2001Yucel & Yamac, 2010).…”

Chemoorganotrophic bacteria isolated from biodeteriorated surfaces in cave and catacombs

“…It is a well known fact that chemoorganotrophic bacteria, mainly Actinobacteria such as Streptomyces, Micrococcus, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Nocardia (Groth & Saiz-Jimenez, 1999;Laiz et al, 2003) are common inhabitants of stone surfaces in subterranean environments. Their presence in caves and catacombs has caused evident biodeterioration phenomena on the archaeological surfaces due to the formation of patinas and biofilms in which either phototrophic microorganisms or chemorganotrophic bacteria can prevail depending on the presence/absence of light sources (Albertano et al, 2003;Urzì et al, 2010;Zammit et al, 2011a).…”

Cave Actinobacteria as Producers of Bioactive Metabolites

“…With a combination of unique conditions including high humidity, relatively low and stable temperature, and low nutrients, caves are expected to harbor novel microorganisms with biotechnological benefits. Members of actinobacteria are reported to be a dominant microbial population in several cave ecosystems (Groth and Saiz-Jimenez, 1999; Cheeptham et al, 2013; Tomczyk-Zak and Zielenkiewicz, 2016; Ghosh et al, 2017).…”