Screening and Isolation of Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria from Soil in Al Getaina area, White Nile State

Abstract

Research for antibiotics has been widely performed for about last 50 years and new antibiotics are still being found. This study was carried out during the period from March to June 2011, to isolate antibiotic-producing bacteria from soil. Soil samples were collected in sterile plastic bag then cultured on nutrient agar enriched with soil extract. Antibiotic- producing bacteria were detected by plate over- lay method using standard bacteria as indicator. Activity of antibiotic was evaluated against standard bacterial strains and clinical isolates. The result showed that different promising organisms were isolated. Of the broad spectrum antibiotic-producers, one isolate was choosen and identified as Bacillus megaterium. The product was found to be active against E. coli and Citrobacter species in 5% glucose concentration. It is concluded that sudanese soil teems with antibiotic producers and further investigations are required to validate this result.