Harnessing Streptomyces werraensis from Egypt's El Minia Region: Isolation, Screening, and Antimicrobial Evaluation

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections poses a significant threat to global health, challenging the efficacy of existing antibiotics and leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This alarming trend necessitates an urgent search for novel bioactive substances from environmental sources, particularly soil microorganisms, which have historically been a rich reservoir of antibiotics. Streptomyces, a genus of Gram-positive bacteria found predominantly in soil, has been a prolific source of antibiotics, contributing significantly to the arsenal of antimicrobial agents available today. Nine soil Actinomycetes were isolated from soil samples, purified, and then screened in the current investigation to determine the antibacterial potential of new Actinomycetes. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and other multidrug-resistant bacteria were the focus of both primary and secondary screening. The most active isolate, identified as Streptomyces werraensis, was selected for further investigation. Microbial strain was determined based on morphological, biochemical, and genetic characteristics. From our study, thirteen antibacterial substances were identified, and the most active compound was phenol, 2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl), which demonstrated potent antibacterial properties against a range of MDR bacteria. Advanced analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry are used to identify the bioactive compounds. This research addresses a critical need in the fight against MDR infections by exploring untapped environmental sources for new antibiotics. The findings could lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents, thereby contributing to global health and the management of antibiotic resistance.