Streptomyces aegyptia NEAE 102, a novel cellulolytic streptomycete isolated from soil in Egypt

Abstract

n the course of our screening programme for cellulolytic activities, a novel actinomycete, strain NEAE 102, which
produced high cellulolytic activities, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Dakahliyah governorate, Egypt.
It developed ivory aerial mycelium and faint yellow substrate mycelium on yeast extract - malt extract agar. The
colour of the substrate mycelium was not sensitive to changes in pH. The organism produced long, straight sporechains with elongated, irregular and smooth-surfaced spores. Strain NEAE 102 did not produce melanin or any
diffusible pigments. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain NEAE 102
consistently falls into a clade together with Streptomyces venezuelae NBRC 12595(AB184836) and Streptomyces
zaomyceticus cfcc3116 (FJ792553). Strain NEAE 102 is clearly distinct from S. venezuelae NBRC 12595(AB184836),
S. zaomyceticus cfcc3116 (FJ792553) and other related Streptomyces species described in the literature by using a
combination of morphological, cultural, and physiological characteristics. On the basis of its morphological,
physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as 16S rRNA sequence, it is evident that strain NEAE 102
represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces aegyptia NEAE 102 is
proposed.