Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 9, Issue 4, 121-128Original Article


MICROORGANISMS AS CHEMICAL FACTORIES FOR ISOLATION OF META-BOLOMES FROM MESOPHILIC SOIL

ABHISHEK SHARMA, EKTA MENGHANI*

Department of Biotechnology, JECRC University, Vidhani Village, Ramchandrapura, Near Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur 303905
Email: ekta.menghani@jecrcu.edu.in

Received: 16 Oct 2016 Revised and Accepted: 27 Feb 2017


Abstract

Objective: To investigate the micro-flora of the mesophilic soil of Rajasthan for isolation of novel compounds having antibacterial potentials.

Methods: In present experiments, bacterial colonies were isolated from four different regions of Jaipur, Rajasthan and screened for antimicrobial efficacy against five selected pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7093, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 7443, Escherichia coli MTCC 40, Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC 530, and Bacillus subtillis MTCC 121. Antimicrobial efficacy against the selected strains was performed. The potential efficacy of the extract was also screened for gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis for novel metabolites screening. Further, potent bacterial strains were identified at the molecular level by 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing method.

Results: After the primary screening, 29 microbial isolates were selected for the screening of bioactivity. Results displayed zones of inhibition ranging from 5 mm till maximum 13 mm. Soil testing indicated survival conditions for microbes isolated, and biochemical tests supported the identification of screened isolates. The potentially isolated strains S-III C, S-III D and S-IV D were identified at the molecular level using 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing as Bacillus shackletonii, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis subsp. inaquosorum, respectively.

Conclusion: Extraction of active metabolites from soil microbiota, against five pathogenic bacteria, is far better, safe and economical method. This study will help in exploring new compounds against increasing number of resistant pathogenic strains with an aim to reduce demand of medicinal plants for extraction of effective antimicrobial compounds. Bacillus strains (S-IIIC, S-IIID and S-IVC) isolated from soil microflora possess antimicrobial activity and can be used for isolation of antibiotics at industrial levels.

Keywords: Microorganisms, Chemical factories, Metabolomes, Mesophilic


INTRODUCTION

In India, the most common pathogens behind nosocomial infections are the gram-positive bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus being the principal one. There has been a raise in the rate of antibiotic resistance in bacteria related to nosocomial infections, most importantly in intensive care units. These are nowadays the prominent sites of infections. There are many broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as vancomycin, which are usually given for treating such infections. However, there have been cases of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus being reported. This leads to use of alternate antibiotics and prevents the use of vancomycin as the primary drug for the treatment of diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile [1].

There are different categories of microorganisms causing nosocomial infections, and the pathogen vary according to the group of people being infected, kinds of health care settings, medical facilities, and also the countries (developed and developing). Commonly reported gram positive microbes include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococci coagulase negative, and Enterococci. Gram-negative ones include Acinobacter baumanii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [2-4]. Fungi are also recognized as a cause of nosocomial infections, mainly in blood streams, apart from bacterial infections in India [5].

Natural products are described in simple terms as those chemical matter isolated from different kinds of living beings. These could be classified on a broad basis as primary or secondary. It has been the most suspicious field of microbiology to conclude a precise definition, describe exact functions and existence of secondary mentabolites (SMs) in nature [6]. SMs are low molecular weight compounds (usually less that 3000) with diverse and complicated chemical configurations, incomprehensible functions, produced by strains of distinct microbial species, and by some plants. Although antibiotics are the best known bioactive metabolites, there are many more with significant activities of medical, nutritional and industrial importance [7]. They seem to be completely unnecessary for the microbial producers, having no any noticeable function in their life cycle, but they help in the survival of the microbial population in adverse conditions [6]. The function of SMs is opposite to that of primary metabolites, like nucleic acids, proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which are essential for microbial growth. Though the process of secondary metabolite production is based on genes, but these are highly influenced by changes in the environment of the microorganism. Apart from nutrient deficiency, other factors could be declining growth rate and the presence of inducer [8]. These factors tend to generate signals that cause a cascade of events leading to morphological and chemical changes in the microbial strains. It is considered that the cell investment in secondary metabolite production is almost the confirmation of a function that should give the organisms certain advantage against other members of the community. These are produced by the organisms to inhibit other organism’s competing for a same ecological niche. Also, they are produced after active growth of the organism and are structurally diversified. The distribution of SMs is also unique, and some metabolites are found in a range of related microorganisms, while others are only found in one or a few species. Parallel to the screening for new antibiotics, efforts have been focused in finding low molecular weight SMs with different biological activities [9-12].

The SMs isolated from microbes exhibits either antimicrobial; which includes antibacterial, antifungal, anti-protozoan action; antitumor or antiviral activities, earlier known as antibiotics. With the aid of recent knowledge, the term “antibiotic” is more or less an obsolete conception, whenever there is discussion regarding the bioactive SMs. The practical importance of antibiotics and other SMs is incredible. They have wide applications in the human therapy and veterinary therapy, agriculture, scientific research and in numerous other areas.

Antibacterial substances produced by Bacillus species to be found on the second place after laboratory due to variety in the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) due to different chemical structures [13]. The Bacillus subgroup has been reported to produce a huge number of amplifiers, and this can be a good source to explore the novel anti-bacterial substances [14, 15]. Compounds extracted have been shown to be active against a broad range of gram-positive bacteria [16]. An amount of reported bacteriocins is very less as in comparison to the reported microbial species, so necessitating a need to explore the properties and therapeutic applications of microorganisms such as Bacillus. The aim of the current research was going to target the bacteria producing anti-bacterial substance from the mesophilic soil. The soil is a rich source of microorganisms, as it offers an optimum environment for the growth of microorganisms, which contributes towards tremendous diversity of bacteria. In the current study, we have isolated different micro-organisms which are able to produce antimicrobial substances from the soil of the arid and semi-arid region, sterile techniques and required plating methods. The significant microbes were further determined by molecular characterization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemicals used

The chemicals and media utilised in the current study were bought from Hi-Media, CDH, SRL and Sigma-Aldrich.

Methods

Test pathogens and growth conditions

Pure cultures of five test pathogens were obtained from Department of Microbiology, JECRC University, Jaipur and SMS hospital. These included Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7093, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 7443, Escherichia coli MTCC 40, Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC 530, and Bacillus subtillis MTCC 121. These test pathogens were cultured in nutrient broth at 36 °C for 16-18 h. Microbial isolates were tested against these five bacteria using disc diffusion, well diffusion and perpendicular cross streak methods [17, 18].

Isolation of antibacterial compounds producing bacteria from mesophilic soil

Bacterial strains were isolated from soil collected from four locations of Jaipur, Rajasthan i.e. slum area of Jawahar circle, SMS hospital, Durgapura and Mansarovar, and listed in table 1. Selection of site was also based on various factors, like the temperature of the particular area, population load around the area, the presence of any organic or inorganic additive/contaminant to the soil of the particular region, ease of repetition of sample collection, and ease of accessibility of the area. Soil was collected from 0.04 m deep from the top soil layer, ateach of these locations. It was then brought to the laboratories and stored at 4 °C till further processing.

Suspension of all the four soil samples was prepared using physiological methods and followed by serial dilution method. Spread plate technique on nutrient agar plates was used for the isolation of microorganisms. Serial tenfold dilution of mesophilic soil samples were spread on sterile nutrient agar plates and incubated at 36 °C for 24 h. Total 29 isolates were obtained out of which only six were morphologically dominant which were selected for further study. Nutrient agar (5 g/l peptone; 3 g/l beef extract; 5 g/l NaCl; 15 g/l agar) was prepared and autoclaved for plating the soil samples using warcup method and direct soil sprinkle method. After 24-36 h of incubation at 35 °C and 40 °C plates were observed for screening the required colonies [19].

Upscaling of culture

The colonies screened from the dilutions of soil samples were inoculated in Luria broth media. Shaker treatment for 2 h daily at 700 rpm was provided for 30 d at different temperature ranges. Regular testing of metabolites (primary/secondary) was done after 7 d, 15 d, 21 d, and 27 d [20].

Liquid-liquid extraction of bioactive compounds

After 27 d of incubation, each culture was centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 10 min and the supernatant was collected separately. Metabolites were extracted using three solvents i.e. benzene, ethyl acetate and chloroform. The supernatant was mixed in 2:1 ratio with each of the three solvents, shaken and allowed to mix properly. The mixture was left undisturbed to allow the separation of the solvent is having the dissolved metabolites from the culture. The solvent was then decanted from the culture and allowed to vaporize at 40-50 °C in the oven. The method used for separating bioactive compounds from extracellular SMs was liquid-liquid extraction. Further, these extractives were named as LLE-I, LLE-II and LLE-III for benzene, ethyl acetate and chloroform respectively [21].

Analysis of biological activity

The dried form of compounds collected was again mixed in 2-3 ml of respective solvents. Sterilized circular discs were cut and soaked in solvents containing bioactive compounds. Lawn of five common nosocomial infection causing pathogens i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli was prepared on nutrient agar, and all are nomenclature in table 2. The antimicrobial activity was then tested against these pathogens using disc diffusion method [22]. Plates were incubated at 38 °C for 48 h.

Segmentation and categorization of biologically active compounds

Centrifugation

Centrifugation of culture broth was performed at 8000 rpm for 10 min. Supernatants of S-III C, S-III D and S-IV C were collected for liquid-liquid extraction with benzene, ethyl acetate and chloroform as LLE I, LLE II and LLE III, respectively, and processed for antimicrobial screening. Three bio-actively rich fractions were collected and stored at 4 °C for further studies.

Thin layer chromatography (TLC)

Glass plates of 18 cm ×18 cm were used to perform TLC, so that approximately 4 samples could be run together. The slurry was made with silica gel and water. Mixing and shaking of silica gel in water should be proper for the homogenous and adhesive mixture. Thin layer on glass plates was formed and kept for 3-4 h on the plain surface for drying and later in the oven at 70 °C. The temperature of the oven was raised to 110 °C for 1 h for activation of the plates. The plates were taken out and allowed to cool. Mobile phase (solvent) was prepared and poured in TLC glass chamber in which plates spotted with extract were placed. The plates were placed in the chamber till it run or develop up to ¾ of the TLC plate and then again kept in oven for drying. Plates were sprayed with specific reagents and spots were observed. The developed plate was baked at 110 °C for 30 min and observed under UV light chamber and the displacement of development (mobile phase) and extract were measured and recorded [23].

GC–MS analysis

Shimadzu model QP-2010 plus, column-Rtx–Ms, 30 meter × 0.25 mm i.d. × 0.25 um film thickness was used for detection. Samples were prepared accordingly for analysis. Extracts were collected in 100 ml beaker and mixed with methanol. The mixture was filtered properly to remove any crystal particle. The homogenous solution was collected in ependrof after testing it with microinjection. Samples were loaded in the injector and processed. Chromatograms with compounds detected in solvent were recorded and compared compound library [24].

Microbial identification

The bacterial samples (S-III C, S-III D and S-IV C) were sent for identification based on 16SrRNA analysis and the recorded in table 8-10. The identification report was generated using EZ‐Taxon Database and the confidence in identification is limited by both the availability and the extent of homology shown by the ~1200 bp sequence of the sample with its closest neighbor in the database. Details and sequence fasta are shown in fig. 3 [25].

Bacterial genomic DNA was isolated using the Insta Gene TM Matrix Genomic DNA isolation kit as per the kit instruction procedures. An isolated bacterial colony was picked and suspend in 1 ml sterile water in a microfuge tube, centrifuged for 1 minute at 10,000–12,000 rpm to remove the supernatant. Around 200 μl of Insta Gene matrix was added to the pellet and incubated at 56 °C for 15 min, rotated at high speed for 10 seconds, and placed in a 100 °C heat blocker boiling water bath for 8 min. Finally, the content was rotated at high speed for 10 seconds and spanned at 10,000–12,000 rpm for 2 min. In result, 20μl of the supernatant was used per 50 μl PCR reaction.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Bacterial strains isolation

Four locations were selected from the vicinity of Jaipur slum area of Jawahar circle, SMS hospital, Durgapura and Mansarovar, identity number given to the particular location is S-I, S-II, S-III and S-IV respectively. The locations were selected on the basis of the quality of the soil. These areas are rich in contamination as hospitals are the prime locations and sites for the various infections and slum areas are the power plants for the same. Further, the locations are of the arid region. Samples were collected in sterile bags and 29 colonies were isolated from all the four areas were shown in table 1. These colonies were subcategorized into A, B, C, and D etc for systemic nomenclature. These colonies were collected by various streaking methods viz. warcup method and direct soil sprinkle method onto nutrient agar media.

These 29 colonies were further sub-cultured to isolate as pure colonies and used for future testing. To start with the target was to discover the organisms having a resistive action against a few pathogens and also for nosocomial infection-causing pathogens. 29 isolates were processed through various test techniques against selected 5 test pathogens i.e. E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus. The test pathogens which were used are listed with MTCC code in table 2.

Table 1: Screened microbial isolates

Soil sampling location Soil sample I.D. Total no. of bacterial isolates Isolate I.D.
JC slum area S–I 7 A,B,C,D,E,F,G
SMS hospital S–II 8 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H
Durgapura S–III 7 A,B,C,D,E,F,G
Mansarover S–IV 7 A,B,C,D,E,F,G

Table 2: List of test pathogens

Soil sampling location Soil sample I.D. Total no. of bacterial isolates
Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7093 P1
Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 7443 P2
Escherichia coli MTCC 40 P3
Klebsiella pneumonia MTCC 530 P4
Bacillus subtilis MTCC 121 P5

This limited down the search for extraction of a compound of fundamental significance. Out of 29 isolates, 3 indicated biological action against previously mentioned 5 test pathogens were listed in table 2 and shown in fig. 1. Whereas table 3 clearly shows the size zone of inhibition in millimeter and conclusive data was interpreted by mean deviation.

Fig. 1: Antimicrobial screening plates showing positive results, A=S-III C against Pseudomonsa aeruginosa, B=S-III D against, Staphylococcus aureus, C=S-IV D against Escherichia coli


Table 3: Antimicrobial analysis of strains (S-IIIC, S-IIID and S-IV C) against five test pathogens i.e. P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5

Identification of Isolates shown antibiotic activity

Zone of inhibition (mm)
Test pathogens
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5
Soil samples S-III C 13±0.20 0 0 0
S-III D 0 0 9±0.20 0
S-IV C 0 10±0.3 0 0

Values are mean Inhibition zone (mm)±SD of quadruplicate, P1–Pseudomonas aeruginosa; P2–Staphylococcus aureus; P3–E. coli; P4-Klebsilla pneumonia and P5–Bacillus subtilis

For further screening, these 3 isolates were prepared through maturation handle with standard shaker treatment for a particular span and diverse incubation period and temperature. Centrifugation took after by extraction with solvents LLE-I, LLE-II and LLE-III separately. Activity test is necessary for affirming which fraction is really producing SMs or compounds and under what conditions it is in charge of the movement against the test pathogens are tabulated in table 4.

Table 4: Extracts from liquid-liquid extraction method (g/100 ml)

Extracts sample Benzene Ethyl acetate Chloroform
Extract/100 ml
S-III C 0.07 0.06 0.02
S-III D 0.19 0.04 0.05
S-IV C 0.16 0.15 0.16

Tests and above-mentioned experiments confirmed that the isolates S-III C, S-III D and S-IV C are producing the compounds which need to be targeted. For detailed information about the compounds, they were processed through TLC with Rf value mentioned in table 5.


Table 5: Rf values and color of spot from TLC analysis

Isolates Rf Value Color of spot
Benzene E. A. Chloroform Benzene E. A. Chloroform
S-III C - 0.3 - - Dark brown -
S-III D 0.5 0.15 - N. D. Dark orange -
S-IV C - - 0.11 - Grayish

Disengagement, determination and biochemical testing was accomplished for the essential screening of microorganisms and enlisted in table 6 and 7. Principle target was to detach a microorganism which produces a compound which can be valuable in assembling drug against nosocomial disease bringing on pathogens.


Table 6: Results of biochemical tests of screened isolates

Sample location Catalase test Of basal test SIM test Mac conkey test Starch hydrolysis Motility Mannitol test Urease test

Tentative

microbe

S-III

S-III

S-IV

C + - Red - + + - -
D + - - + - - - -
C + + Red - + - + -

Table 7: Microscopic and morphological studies of screened colonies

Sample location Shape Color Opacity Elevation Surface Texture Gram+ve/-ve

S-III

S-III

S-IV

C Rods Buff Opaque Curve Smooth Butyrous
D Rods yellow Opaque Negligible Smooth Butyrous
C Rods Buff Translucent Negligible Smooth Viscid

Applications and medical significance of every compound were analyzed. Isolates which showed biological activities against nosocomial infection causing pathogens were tested for biochemical as well as their morphological features. After the primary and secondary screening, these isolates were analyzed for 16s RNA sequences for the comprehensive identification and genome sequencing was reported in table 8-10. The results proved that the identified nucleotide sequences were having great similarities to the Bacillus species, which confirms the production of antibacterial compounds by culturing and processing confirmed microorganism.

Table 8: List of the closely related strains for sample S-III C

S. No. Name of strain Code Accession no. Pairwise similarity % Reference
1 Bacillus sonorensis ATCC 14579(T) AE016877 99.21 [26]
2 Bacillus aureus ATCC 14578(T) AB190217 99.11 [27]
3 Bacillus tequilensis - AE016879 99.12 [27]
4 Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC 10792(T) ACNF01000156 98.84 [28]
5 Bacillus subtilis sub sp. BCT-7112(T) CP006863 98.54 [29]

Table 9: List of the closely related strains for sample S-III D

S. No. Name of strain Code Accession no. Pairwise similarity % Reference
1 Bacillus shackletonii ATCC 14580(T) AE017333 99.68 [30]
2 Bacillus sonorensis NBRC 101234(T) AYTN01000016 99.61 [31]
3 Bacillus aureus 24K(T) AJ831843 99.36 [32]
4 Bacillus toyonensis GSS04(T) KJ818278 99.01 [33]
5 Bacillus shackletonii LMG 18435(T) AJ250318 98.87 [30]

Table 10: List of the closely related strains for sample S-IV C

S. No. Name of strain Code Accession no. Pairwise similarity % Reference
1 Bacillus subtilis sub sp. inaquosorum KCTC13429(T) AMXN01000021 99.72 [34]
2 Bacillus aureus KCTC13622(T) AYTO01000043 99.64 [35]
3 Bacillus anthracis subsp. subtilis NCIB3610(T) ABQL01000001 99.51 [34]
4 Bacillus subtilis ub sp. spizizenii NCIB3610(T) CP002905 99.34 [36]
5 Bacillus toyonensis DSM8802(T) AM747812 99.32 [33]

GC–MS study elaborated every bit of information about the compounds extracted from isolates, like molecular weight, RT time, boiling point, structural formula, linear formula, and IUPAC names were mentioned in fig. 2. Applications and medical significance of every compound were analyzed with chemical library [37]. GC–MS analysis of S-III C, S-III D and S-IV C active rich fractions possessing four, three and four antibacterial compounds respectively. The RT of the Peaks reveals the presence of different compounds. The area covered by the peaks is directly proportional to the amount of compound present in the solvent. The peaks were selected and compared with a standard which automatically generated the list of compounds were enlisted in fig. 2.

PCR protocol

Using below 16S rRNA Universal primers (table 11 and 12) gene fragment was amplified using MJ Research Peltier Thermal Cycler.

Fig. 2: GC–MS analysis of S-III C, S-III D and S-IV C active rich fractions possessing four, three and four antibacterial compounds respectively


Table 11: Primer details

Primer name Sequence details Number of base
27F AGAGTTTGATCMTGGCTCAG 20
1492R TACGGYTACCTTGTTACGACTT 22

Table 12: Sequencing primer details

Primer name Sequence details Number of base
785F GGATTAGATACCCTGGTA 18
907R CCGTCAATTCMTTTRAGTTT 20

The 16s r RNA sequence was blast using NCBI blast similarity search tool. The phylogeny analysis of our sequence with the closely related sequence of blast results was performed followed by multiple sequence alignment. The program MUSCLE 3.7 was used for multiple alignments of sequences [38]. The resulting aligned sequences were cured using the program G blocks 0.91b. Primer 785F and 907R was used for sequence details and the number of the nucleotide sequence are shown in fig. 3 A, B and C, the number of base are18 and 20 as shown in table 13. This G blocks eliminates poorly aligned positions and divergent regions (removes alignment noise) [39]. Finally, the program PhyML 3.0aLRT was used for phylogeny analysis and HKY85 as Substitution model. PhyML was shown to be at least as accurate as other existing phylogeny programs using simulated data while being one order of magnitude faster. PhyML was shown to be at least as accurate as other existing phylogeny programs using simulated data, while being one order of magnitude faster. The program Tree Dyn 198.3 was used for tree rendering [40].

Fig. 3: 16S rRNA sequencing of isolates, A=S-III C, B=S-III D, C=S-IV C

DISCUSSION

Isolation of microorganisms from soil is the most convenient method. Soil contains millions of microorganisms per gram [41]. Soil from slum and hospital areas is the perfect place of the microbial vicinity. The selection of area was based on isolation of microbial community which can exist in extreme temperature of the arid region. These were isolated by warcup method and nutrient agar was used as basal media for cultivation of microbial population.

From the consortium of compounds detected, we focused on the ones which could be responsible for antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. S-III C produced four prominent compounds with potential antibacterial activity and incorporated in fig. 2. Hydroquinone-M (2-HO-) P478 has anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity and inhibits retroviral reverse transcriptase activity. The source of isolation of this compound is mostly plants [42], and yeast [43]. Recently, its isolation was detected from halo tolerant Bacillus methylotrophicus by Jeyanthi and co-workers [44]. Similarly, eicosane P1379, vinylbital P916, palmitic acid compounds have antifungal activities. Palmitic acid was extracted from Terminalia glaucescens root bark [45]. Myristic acid P1035, PCPIP precursor (methyl piperazine) P334, barbituric acid 3MEP707, was detected in sample S–III D. There were two aspects common in all detected compounds: they are aliphatic hydrocarbons and possess antibacterial activities, which makes them responsible for the tool against nosocomial infection caused by pathogens. Some were found in a good amount per sample. Some compounds are the major constituents out of all biologically active compounds found in the extracts. Four of the compounds that showed antimicrobial and antibacterial activities, which were found in S–IV C sample, also have antibacterial, antiseptic and chemotherapeutic activities. All these facts make the isolate to fight nosocomial infection-causing pathogens. Stearic acid P1389 is colourless to faint yellow oily liquid, linoleic acid MEP1454 is aliphatic compound, and diisooctylphthalate P1828 is also of aliphatic nature. The majority of the compounds were isolated from either plant [42] or synthesised chemically. Thus, isolation from bacterial sources could be beneficial economically as well as ecologically. From the experimental results, it can be concluded that the detected compounds in active rich fractions of S–III C, S–III D and S–IV C were responsible for bioactivity against infection caused by nosocomial pathogens.

CONCLUSION

The main aim behind the present piece of research work is to isolate the strains from arid soil of Rajasthan having antimicrobial potentials to cure nosocomial infections and produce the antibiotics in bulk so that in future these microbes can be used as chemical factories. All the four areas were selected on the basis of contamination and more prone sites of infections. Total 29 isolated strains were tested for biochemical screening followed biological testing. The study was narrowed down to selected three strains S-IIIC, S-IIID and S-IVC. These strains withstand the heat of fifty degrees in summer and two degree in winter, proving the diverse type of genetic constitution. Further characterization of such strains showed a close resemblance to Bacillus strains. This proved that the isolated microbial flora was not infectious, so can be safely used for isolation of novel metabolites and can work as chemical factories for the production of bioactive compounds. This study not only proves that Bacillus species is a future candidate for antimicrobial substances but also can work as a chemical factory for the production of the huge amount of drug candidates with simple modifications.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors acknowledged the Vice Chairman, JECRC University Jaipur for providing JRF and S. P. Biotech, Jaipur for providing infrastructure for carrying out research work. Special mention of thanks for GC-MS analysis which was performed at Advanced Instrumentation Research Facility (AIRF) School of Physical Sciences (SPS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

There is no conflict of interest

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