Taxonomy, fermentation and biological activities of a new strain of Streptomyces luridus from Indian soil

In the process of screening for a potent antimicrobial compound active on clinical resistant strains, a new strain of Streptomyces luridus (G22) was isolated from Indian soil. It was found antagonistic to both bacterial test organisms and clinical resistant species of Klebsiella and Staphylococcus. Production of antibiotic was more in nutrient broth as compared to starch casein or czapek's broth. Antibiotic production reached maximum at the end of 24 h of fermentation by shake flask culture. The antimicrobial compound was extracted in ethyl acetate from the culture broth. The ethyl extract of antimicrobial compound showed no significant anticancer activity when tested on HBL 100 breast cancer cell line. This strain from Indian soil produced a different antibiotic when compared to the previously reported antibiotics based on bioautography and spectrum of activity.