Isolation and molecular identification of actinomycetes from sacred grove soil

Actinomycetes, a group of prokaryotes sharing traits with both bacteria and fungi, hold significant economic and commercial importance. They are prolific producers of enzymes, antibiotics, enzyme inhibitors and pharmaceuticals of high commercial value. This study aimed to characterize actinomycetes isolated from sacred groves, focusing on their morphological, biochemical and molecular traits and to assess their bioactive potential. Actinomycetes were isolated using plating and serial dilution methods followed by characterization through Gram staining and biochemical tests such as IMViC test (Indole test, Methyl red test, Voges Proskauer test and Citrate utilization test). Identification to the genus level was achieved using 16S rDNA gene sequencing with strains A1 and A3 identified as Streptomyces mutabilis and Streptomyces cheonanensis respectively. These strains were also screened for amylase production on starch casein agar plates and enzyme assays showed strain A1 to have the highest activity (54.3±1.5 IU/ml/min after 48 hours of incubation). This research underscores the biotechnological importance of these actinomycetes strains, particularly in amylase synthesis crucial for various industrial applications.