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Thermophilic actinomycetes associated with agro-environment of Punjab state (India)
1School of Life Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.
Abstract:
Thermophilic actinomycetes (TAs) are unique high temperature aerobic bacteria which belong to the group actinomycetes. While working on hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), an immunological disorder, resulting from the inhalation of spores of thermophilic actinomycetes, it was considered worthwhile to record their occurrence in the environment of Punjab. Thermophilic actinomycetes isolated by spread plate method from nine different substrates of the Punjab environment were identified as 8 different species. Atmospheric occurrence of TAs was detected by exposing Petri dishes containing soy agar medium which were exposed in six different environments of the state. Seven thermophilic species were recorded. Thermoactinomyces vulgaris was the predominant species with 87.5, 87.1, and 100% prevalence in the soil, natural manure and the wheat field, respectively. The study is the first report of its kind from this region.
Insights
This study identified eight species of thermophilic actinomycetes (TAs) in Punjab
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Immunology
Background:
- Thermophilic actinomycetes (TAs) are aerobic bacteria thriving at high temperatures.
- Inhalation of TA spores can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), an immunological disorder.
- Understanding TA prevalence is crucial for public health in agricultural environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and distribution of thermophilic actinomycetes in the Punjab environment.
- To identify specific TA species present in various substrates and atmospheric conditions.
- To establish a baseline for future research on TA-related health risks in the region.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of TAs from nine different environmental substrates using the spread plate method.
- Detection of atmospheric TAs by exposing soy agar medium in six distinct locations.
- Identification of isolated bacterial species using standard microbiological techniques.
Main Results:
- Eight different species of thermophilic actinomycetes were isolated from environmental substrates.
- Seven thermophilic species were detected in the atmosphere across Punjab.
- Thermoactinomyces vulgaris was the most prevalent species, found in 87.5% of soil, 87.1% of natural manure, and 100% of wheat field samples.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first report on the occurrence of thermophilic actinomycetes in Punjab.
- Thermoactinomyces vulgaris is a dominant thermophilic actinomycete in the studied environments.
- Findings highlight potential exposure risks for hypersensitivity pneumonitis in the region.