[Biodiversity and enzyme screening of actinomycetes from Hami lake].

Objective: In order to study the biodiversity of actinomycetes isolated from salt lakes in Hami, Xinjiang, and the characteristics of enzymes thereof.

Methods: Soil samples in salt lakes Hami were isolated with 4 isolation media containing 5% and 10% NaCl (w/v) by dilution-plate method. The activities of lipase, galactosidase, amylase, esterase and cellulose from isolated strains were qualitatively detected by using five selective media. Based on morphological characteristics, test of salt tolerance, antibacterial activitity, enzymatic characters and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, strains were selected for phylogenetic analysis.

Results: A total of 63 actinomycetes were isolated from salt lake in Hami, of which 47 strains were halophilic actinomycetes. The antibacterial activity results showed that 23 strains had antibacterial activity toward Bacillus subtilis and other pathogens. Three strains produced proteinase, 46 strains produced amylase, 14 strains produced esterase, 34 strains produced galactosidase, and 5 strains produced cellulase. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated relatively rich genotypic diversity among these actinomycetes.

Conclusion: There were abundant actinomycetes resources in the salt lakes in Hami, Xinjiang. The strains had very promising enzyme activities.