Antibacterial Properties Associated with Microorganisms Isolated from Arctic Lichens

A total of 5 different polar microorganisms were isolated from Arctic lichens and their bioactive compounds were extracted from cell culture using different solvents including acetone, water, chloroform, diethylether, ethanol, ethyl acetate, methanol, and petroleum ether. The antibacterial properties of the extracts were evaluated by disk diffusion tests and minimal inhibitory concentration tests against 6 bacterial pathogens; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Among the extraction samples, ethyl acetate extracts of Burkholderia sordidicola S5-B∨T (KOPRI 26644) showed the highest activity (inhibition zone, 7-10 mm; MIC value, 57.5-1000 ug/ml) against targeted bacteria. Among the various solvents used for extraction, chloroform extract exhibited the weakest, but still obvious, activity.