Studies in Actinomycetes in Egyptian Soils: III. The Antagonistic Activity of Actinomycetes

Abstract

Summary The antimicrobial activity of 359 antibiotic-producing actinomycetes, isolated from Egyptian soils, was investigated. The results revealed that isolation of antagonists requires the use ot several media. Organisms of wide spectrum are less frequent than those of narrow ones. Some actinomycetes seemed to possess a selective antimicrobial effect against one organism or a similar group of micro-organisms. The production of antibiotic substance, active against a particular test organism, depends on the antagonist, the chemical composition, and the physical state of the medium.