ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM PRODUCING ANTIBIOTICS FROM TREM MECHANICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance has heightened the global need for novel antibiotic-producing microorganisms. This study focused on the isolation and characterization of microorganisms with antibiotic-producing potential from Trem Mechanical Waste Disposal site. Soil samples were collected aseptically and subjected to serial dilution and culture on selective media to isolate distinct microbial colonies. Preliminary screening for antibiotic activity was performed using the agar well diffusion method against selected test pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Positive isolates exhibiting inhibitory zones were further characterized morphologically, microscopically, and biochemically to determine their identity. Results revealed that Trem mechanical waste disposal harbors a diverse range of microorganisms, including both pathogenic species (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus) and beneficial organisms (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces spp.). Morphological and biochemical characterizations confirmed their identities, while screening revealed the presence of isolates with significant antibiotic-producing potential. Among the isolates, Bacillus- and Streptomyces-like species exhibited strong and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, inhibiting both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. One isolate also showed antifungal activity, highlighting the possibility of discovering novel antimicrobial compounds from waste-associated microorganisms.