The World of Antibiotics

This study aimed to identify antimicrobial-producing microbes from soil samples using a series of microbiological techniques. Serial dilution was performed to isolate bacterial strains from the soil. Then followed by culturing 10 to 12 potential antimicrobial candidates on what is called a master plate. These 12 candidates were screened for antibiotic activity against safe relative pathogens to observe zones of inhibition, or areas around bacteria showing inhibited growth. The most promising candidate was the candidate that displayed the largest inhibition zones. This candidate was further cultured on streak plates to obtain isolated colonies. Metabolic testing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis will be done to characterize the candidate at the molecular level, with the goal of identifying a potential antibiotic. This project contributes to the constant search for new antibiotics to combat rising antibiotic resistance.