OPTIMIZATION OF SOME CULTURE CONDITIONS FOR IMPROVED BIOMASS AND ANTIBIOTIC PRODUCTION BY STREPTOMYCES SPECTABILIS ISOLATED FROM SOIL

A Streptomyces strain was isolated from soil and was identified as Streptomyces spectabilis on the basis of 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. On screening for its ability to produce antimicrobial compounds, it was found active against Gram positive bacteria. Attempts were made to optimize the culture conditions for the production of antimicrobial compounds. Basal medium supplemented with glucose as a carbon source was found to be the best for growth but not for antibiotic production. Antibiotic production proved to be highest in the medium amended with cellobiose. Jack bean meal and peptone were the best nitrogen sources for growth and antibiotic production, respectively. Antibiotic production appeared to start after 48 hours and reached a maximum on the fourth day. Maximum growth and antibiotic production occurred when the initial pH was adjusted to 5.