Bhoir N.B. and Garude N.R.
Abstract
Antibiotics are the secondary metabolites produced by many of the microorganisms via enzymatic catalysis involving a series of biosynthetic pathways. An antibiotic is an antimicrobial substance responsible for the regulation and control of microbial population in soil, compost and water. Antibiotics most commonly used for treating the bacterial infections causing respiratory, gastro-intestinal and urinary tract infections. Antibiotics are mainly produced by Penicillium, Streptomyces and Bacillus species. The objective of the study was to isolate antibiotic producing Bacillus species from soil. Four potential isolates were obtained and potential isolate was subjected to biochemical and 16S rRNA identification. Among them isolate 3 was found to be Bacillus licheniformis. Optimization was carried out to determine the effect of various parameters like pH, temperature, glucose concentration on antibiotic production. Optimum pH for antibiotic production was found to be 8, Optimum temperature was 35 °C, Optimum concentration of glucose was 2%. Carbohydrates in the form of sugars and starches were employed for the production of the antibiotic. Among sugars, sorbitol gave the maximum yield of antibiotic. Extract of antibiotic was effective suggesting potential therapeutic applications of antibiotic produced by Bacillus licheniformis that was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing.