Isolation and Identification of Actinomycetes with Anticandida Activity from Mangrove Soil

Abstract

Candida albicans, a common human commensal, is the leading cause of nosocomial infections due to the emergence of drug resistance. The present study reports the isolation and identification of actinomycetes from mangrove soil and characterization of its antagonistic activity against drug resistant Candida species. Mangrove soils from Khargar, Navi Mumbai were screened for actinomycetes with anti-candida activity. In total, 20 actinomycetes culture were isolated from mangrove soil sample, amongst the culture designated as MB was found to inhibit all tested pathogenic Candida cultures. The isolate MB was identified using biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing as Streptomyces viridocromogenes. MB culture showed maximum activity after incubation period of 48 to 72 h, pH of 6.2 and temperature of 30℃. Partially purified active molecule was found to be inactivated by heat treatment but resisted proteinase K, indicating the compound can be an antibiotic in nature. The study highlights the isolation of Streptomyces viridocromogenes with antagonistic activity against multidrug resistant Candida from mangrove soil. This culture is an ideal candidate for further characterization studies for anti-candida molecules.