Contents

### **Preface XIII**


Letizia Lo Grasso, Delia Chillura Martino and Rosa Alduina



#### Preface Foreword

Chapter 8 **Biotechnological Potential of Oxidative Enzymes from**

Chapter 10 **Actinobacteria as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria 249** Marcela Franco-Correa and Vanessa Chavarro-Anzola

Medhat Rehan, Erik Swanson and Louis S. Tisa

Chapter 12 **Enzymes and Phytohormones from Micromonospora 291** Waleed M. Abdulkhair and Mousa A. Alghuthaymi

Chapter 13 **Industrial Enzymes and Metabolites from Actinobacteria in**

Chapter 14 **Actinobacteria — A Biofactory of Novel Enzymes 329**

Chapter 15 **Advanced Oxidation Process Applied to Actinobacterium**

**Food and Medicine Industry 315** María Valdés Ramírez and Liliana Calzadíaz

Mariadhas Valan Arasu, Galal Ali Esmail and Naif Abdullah Al-Dhabi

Govindharaj Vaijayanthi, Ramasamy Vijayakumar and Dharmadurai

Michelle Fernanda Brugnera, Bárbara Camila de Araújo Souza and

Marilize Le Roes-Hill and Alaric Prins

Chapter 9 **Hypersaline Actinomycetes and Their Biological**

**Actinobacteria 199**

**VI** Contents

**Applications 229**

**Section 3 Agricultural and Industrial Utility 247**

Chapter 11 **Frankia as a Biodegrading Agent 271**

Dhanasekaran

**Disinfection 353**

Mrinalini J. Singh

Maria Valnice Boldrin Zanoni

Chapter 16 **Green Nano Actinobacteriology – An Interdisciplinary Study 377**

The Actinomycetes or Actinobacteria are a group of Gram-positive bacteria with high gua‐ *December 2, 2015*

coccoid, fragmenting hyphal forms to those with a highly differentiated branched myceli‐ um. Many of these bacteria produce external spores and are widely distributed in terrestrial ( *Streptomyces* spp.) and aquatic (freshwater – *Micromonospora* sp. and *Nocardia* sp. and ma‐ rine – *Micropolyspora* sp.) ecosystems, where they play a crucial role in decomposition of or‐ ganic materials, thereby contributing in organic matter turnover and carbon cycle. This replenishes the supply of nutrients in the soil and is an important part of the humus forma‐ tion. Actinobacteria also inhabit a vast array of plants (commensals – *Leifsonia* sp.; nitrogen-Actinobacteria species are the primary microbial biomass in the majority of soil and water biomes around the globe. To date, they have been recovered from even the most inhospitable locations on the planet including arid deserts, alkaline soils, salty aquatic environments, caves and even the gut flora of animals. Their role in these locations is as diverse as their habitats and includes the ability to generate hydrolytic enzymes able to digest cellulose and chitin as well as synthesize a staggering variety of antimicrobial compounds.

nine and cytosine content in their DNA. They are morphologically diverse, ranging from

fixing symbionts – *Frankia* sp.) and animals (gastrointestinal tract resident – *Rhodococcus* sp. and *Bifidobacterium* sp.). Furthermore, several pathogenic species ( *Mycobacterium* sp., *Nocar‐ dia* sp., *Tropheryma* sp., *Corynebacterium* sp., and *Propionibacterium* sp.) are often encountered among the phylum of Actinobacteria. Actinobacteria hold a prominent position as targets in screening programs due to their di‐ versity and their proven ability to produce novel metabolites. They are universally re‐ nowned as secondary metabolite producers and hence are of high pharmacological and Clearly, just from the synopsis above, this large and fascinating group of microorganisms is more than worthy of its own book. This field is a continuously expanding one and in "Actinobacteria - Basics and Biotechnological Applications" you are exposed to a state of the art analysis of this group as seen through the eyes of experts in the field. Actinobacteria are first discussed in five chapters, which serve to provide taxonomic divisions and culture methodologies with especial reference to rare and extremophile species. Actinobacteral classification is attacked via three strategies namely:


gicides and as growth promotants for certain plants and food animals (probiotics). Further‐ more, the ability of Actinobacteria in biodegradation of agricultural wastes and their extensive distribution in soil, compost, water, and elsewhere in the environment make them very important to the agricultural industries. Under the section "Bioprospecting", three chapters of the book delve into the importance of Actinobacteria in terms of their ability to synthesize antimicrobial agents, important enzymes and the utility of extremophile halophile species in treating infectious diseases including cancer. Benefits of Actinobacteria include their ability to:


book will be beneficial for the graduate students, teachers, researchers, biotechnologists, and other professionals, who are interested to fortify and expand their knowledge about Actino‐ The final section is one often overlooked in texts covering Actinobacteria and makes this book a valuable adjunct to current knowledge of the Actinobacteria. Many parts of our world are inhospitable for human habitation with poor soil quality and inconsistent access to potable water. Additionally we face an energy crisis which will require a shift into new sources of fuel. In section "Agricultural and Industrial Utility", seven chapters explore the diverse and unique capacities of Actinobacteria to help solve some of these issues in that they can:


As a whole "Actinobacteria - Basics and Biotechnological Applications" provides an excellent overview of a group of microbes able to survive in all areas of our planet. A useful reference work for student and researcher alike, this book will provide its reader with the information needed to either begin research in the field or continue in a new direction. Crammed with useful tips and techniques, not always available in classic research articles, it is a "go to" for anyone in this area.

duced by Actinobacteria. Interestingly, 7600 bioactive compounds are reported from the members of the genus Streptomyces with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoan, antihelminthic, antialgal, antimalarial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and

Best regards,

**Diana R. Cundell,**  Professor of Biology, Pre-Medical Studies Program Director and Clinical Coordinator, Division of Health Professions, College of Science, Health and the Liberal Arts, Philadelphia University, USA

Actinobacteria hold a prominent position as targets in screening programs due to their di‐ versity and their proven ability to produce novel metabolites. They are universally re‐ nowned as secondary metabolite producers and hence are of high pharmacological and commercial interest. Approximately, 23,000 microbial secondary metabolites with tremen‐ dous economic importance have been identified so far, in which 12,000 compounds are pro‐
