Application of the random amplified polymorphic DNA using the polymerase chain reaction for efficient elimination of duplicate strains in microbial screening. II. Actinomycetes.

We evaluated the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method using Streptomyces lavendulae and Streptomyces virginiae strains to eliminate duplicate actinomycete strains in our microbial screening program. The RAPD data were compared with phenotypic characteristics, DNA relatedness, HPLC analysis of metabolites and low-frequency restriction fragment analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. These results were consistent with each other. Therefore, we conclude that RAPD is a simple, efficient, and reliable method for the selection of actinomycete strains.