Background and objective: Bhitarkanika is the mangrove ecosystem of Orissa, India. It was not explored before for occur rence and distribution of Streptomyces. With the aim of isolation and characterization of special group of bacteria from this mangrove ecosystem, the present study has been made.
Materials and Methods: Isolates of Streptomyces were obtained from plant, soil and water collected from Bhitarkanika mangroves on specific ISP media. Different isolates of Streptomyces were characterized for their colony characteristics, morphological properties, physiological and biochemical properties and were tentatively identified.
Results: 105 isolates of Streptomyces belonging to 20 different species were isolated from 19 mangrove plants in different locations of Bhitarkanika mangroves. According to physiological and biochemical data, all strains were taxonomically iden tified to the genus Streptomyces. However, all the strains were morphologically varied and exhibited different extracellular activity. Maximum number of Streptomyces species was observed in the Khola region. S. xanthochromogenes was found to be most prevalent species followed by S. exfoliates and S. auranticus.
Conclusion: We have confirmed occurrence and distribution of Streptomyces in the Bhitarkanika mangrove environ ment. This is the first report of Streptomyces biodiversity in mangrove ecosystem of Bhitarkanika.