Researchers characterize 28 bacteria that produce bioactive substances, offering pharmaceutical potential

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Researchers led by Dr. Imen Nouioui and Prof. Dr. Yvonne Mast from the Department Bioresources for Bioeconomy and Health Research at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH have characterized 28 actinomycetes and investigated their biotechnological potential.

The results of the study show that all actinomycetes have an inhibiting effect against a panel of test bacteria and yeasts. The researchers have now published their findings in the journal Current Research in Microbial Sciences.

Many actinomycetes hide a biotechnological potential

Actinomycetes are bacteria that are known to produce bioactive substances. Two thirds of the antibiotics in use today were originally isolated from these bacteria. The actinomycetes now being investigated were deposited in the DSMZ collection decades ago, but have not yet been characterized in detail.

In their study, the researchers investigated the natural compound synthesis potential of 28 actinomycetes and were able to prove that they have an inhibiting effect against selected other microorganisms. These include clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are on the World Health Organization's Bacterial Priority Pathogens List. The DSMZ's actinomycetes collection contains more than 6,000 strains, some of which have not yet been further analyzed.

"Our study shows that we still have many undiscovered treasures at our institute," summarizes microbiologist Prof. Dr. Mast. "The search for new active substances is extremely important, particularly in light of the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. We are conducting thorough research on these strains to create added value on them and, among other goals, provide producers of potentially new active substances to the scientific community."

Naming the newly described bacteria after female scientists

As part of the study, the actinomycetes were analyzed using state-of-the-art methods. Based on the results, 26 actinomycetes were fully described and formally named for the first time. "This work is particularly important as it underscores the critical need for correctly identifying and classifying strains, while also highlighting the invaluable role of culture collections in preserving interesting strains that can benefit a wide range of the scientific community."

Closing the gender gap in taxonomy was a key priority for the researchers. Historically, most bacteria have been named after male researchers, while female researchers have rarely been considered in the past. Therefore, the 26 newly described actinomycetes were all named in honor of female scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of microbiology.

More information: Imen Nouioui et al, Biotechnological and pharmaceutical potential of twenty-eight novel type strains of Actinomycetes from different environments worldwide, Current Research in Microbial Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100290

Provided by Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH