Therapeutic Insights from Red Soil Actinomycetes: Purification and Metabolite Analysis | InformativeBD

A. Amrin,  M. Muthuselvam, and Radha Palaniswamy, from the different institute of India. wrote a Reseach Article about, Therapeutic Insights from Red Soil Actinomycetes: Purification and Metabolite Analysis. Entitled, Purification and analysis of secondary metabolites from actinomycetes isolated from red soil: Insights into their therapeutic application. This research paper published by the International journal of Microbiology and Mycology (IJMM). an open access scholarly research journal on Mycology. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Actinomycetes isolated from soil can produce diverse secondary metabolites with valuable therapeutic applications. This study aimed to isolate actinomycetes from red soil and evaluate their antibacterial, antioxidant, and biofilm-forming potential. Selected isolates exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in agar well diffusion assays. Further chemical characterization of their secondary metabolites using spectroscopic techniques confirmed the presence of functional groups responsible for their bioactivity. Antioxidant activity was assessed using free radical scavenging assays, revealing strong antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the isolates demonstrated notable biofilm-forming ability, essential for their survival in harsh environments, and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. These soil-derived actinomycetes’ combined antibacterial and antioxidant properties highlight their potential as sources of natural compounds for pharmaceutical applications. The findings support the need for further studies on these bioactive compounds’ toxicity, formulation, and clinical relevance. This research contributes to the growing interest in natural product discovery and provides promising candidates for developing alternative antimicrobial and antioxidant agents from red soil actinomycetes.

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Introduction

Actinobacteria are a highly diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria that play a vital ecological role, particularly in soil environments, where they decompose complex organic materials such as lignin and cellulose. Their high GC content is a distinctive genetic trait that enhances their stability and survival in harsh conditions (Jagannathan et al., 2021).

Morphologically, their filamentous, mycelium-like structures resemble those of fungi, allowing them to form extensive networks that facilitate colonization of varied substrates.

These features, combined with their adaptability to a wide range of environments—including acidic, alkaline, and nutrient-deficient soils make them ecologically significant and biotechnologically valuable (Ebency et al., 2024). One of the most studied genera within this group, Streptomyces, is renowned for its production of bioactive secondary metabolites, including antibiotics like streptomycin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. Collectively, actinobacteria produce a range of therapeutically and industrially important compounds such as antifungals, immunosuppressants, and enzymes, making them a major focus in drug discovery and bioremediation research. This study aims to isolate actinomycetes from red soil and investigate their antibacterial, antioxidant, and biofilm-forming potentials. Antimicrobial activity in actinomycetes stems from compounds that interfere with vital bacterial processes, including cell wall formation, protein synthesis, and nucleic acid replication. For example, certain antibiotics inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis, while others block ribosomal function or DNA replication, effectively controlling or eliminating pathogenic bacteria. Some metabolites also target bacterial enzymes, disrupting essential metabolic pathways and contributing to their role in addressing antibiotic resistance. Beyond antimicrobial properties, actinomycetes are known for producing natural antioxidants, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids that neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which is implicated in diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration (Nithyalakshmi et al., 2025). These antioxidant compounds are also explored for their potential applications in medicine, food preservation, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, actinobacteria are capable of forming biofilms—structured microbial communities enclosed in an extracellular matrix made of polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids that protect from environmental stressors and antimicrobial agents (Vaijayanthi et al., 2012). While biofilm formation enhances environmental resilience, it also poses a clinical challenge by contributing to persistent infections on medical devices and tissues due to their increased resistance compared to freefloating bacterial cells. Overall, the biochemical diversity and ecological resilience of actinomycetes, particularly those from red soil, highlight their immense potential in the search for novel antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, and strategies to manage biofilm-associated infections.

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