Actinomycetes of Moroccan habitats: Isolation and screening for antifungal activities

During a search for non-polyenic antifungal antibiotics, 320 actinomycete strains were isolated from several Moroccan habitats. Antibiotic productions of the isolates have been tested at various temperatures and production media. Thirty-two isolates showed strong activity against yeast, moulds and bacteria. The production of non-polyenic antifungal metabolites by active isolates was investigated using some of their biological activities: antibacterial activity, spheroplast regeneration and ergosterol inhibition. Ten active selected isolates were identified as belonging to the genus Streptomyces.