Isolation of Streptomyces is an important and valuable process because they  can produce antibiotics.  There are many applications for these types of bacteria, such as fighting diseases.  Many strains are able to produce antibiotics.  Locating, identifying, and studying strains of Streptomyces could lead to the discovery of new cures and preventative medicines.

    Streptomyces is a genus for actinomycetes.  They form mycelium, which are long filaments of cells that branch and intertwine.  The appearance of Streptomyces can be a variety of colors that appear dried up and leathery. Most isolated Streptomyces in this lab were opaque white colonies that were very difficult to collect on loops due to the networking of filaments throughout the colonies and the media.  The bacteria also have an identifying odor, which give soil its natural smell on plates, which is unmistakable.

    The average size of Streptomyces is .5-2 micrometers in diameter.  They have spores that are non motile.  Strains can produce one or more antibiotics.  They are gram positive aerobes that are Chemoorganotrophic. They are catalase positive and oxidase negative.  Streptomyces use a wide range of organic compounds as sole sources of carbon for energy and growth. The optimal pH range is approximately 6.5-8.0.  Streptomyces is found in soil in composts, mulch and potting soil.

    Samples of soil are heated to high temperatures as a means of activating spores and killing off other heat sensitive bacteria.  The samples are then diluted to allow for the best growth conditions.  The enriched media used to grow Streptomyces is a mixture of starch, salt, agar, water, casein and other ingredients.  Cyclohexane is added to prevent the growth of mold on the plates.  Growth of Streptomyces occurs about 4-7 days after incubation under the optimal temperatures.

    The isolation of Streptomyces is an important process due to the possible medical opportunities that the many strains may hold.  Antibiotic production occurs in over half of the strains.  They can be found all over the world and scientists have yet to exhaust all of the sources of Streptomyces.  Further studying of the bacteria could aid in the discovery of new drug treatments and cures.