Screening for Extracellular Enzymes from Actinomycetes Isolated from Agricultural Soils of Kolathur, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Rhizosphere is rich in microbial flora. Actinomycetes are a diverse group of organisms which are reported to produce antibiotics, vitamins, enzymes and plant growth promoting substances. Aim: The main objective of this study was to screen actinomycetes from the soil samples for the production of various enzymes that could be used for industrial applications. Method: Rhizosphere soils samples were collected from five different agricultural fields located in the Kolathur village, Tamil nadu, India. Thirty isolates were isolated and designated as VITMS1-VITMS30. The maximum number of isolates (43.3 %) was obtained from the rhizosphere soil samples of brinjal field and maximum number of isolates was isolated on starch casein agar (90%). The isolates were characterized morphologically in ISP media 1-7, Starch casein agar, Bennet agar and AIA, respectively. Results: The isolates were screened for eight different enzymes – α-amylase, protease, gelatinase, chitinase, lipase, DNase, cellulase and urease. From the results observed, all the thirty isolates showed positive α-amylase, lipase and gelatinase activity. All the isolates exhibited cellulase activity but in very low levels. Out of 30 isolates, 19 isolates exhibited protease activity; 24 isolates were positive for DNase activity; 10 isolates showed chitinase activity and 20 isolates showed urease activity. Conclusion: The soil samples from the kolathur village harbor diverse actinomycetes which exhibited good enzymatic activity.