Multidrug-resistant bacteria have emerged as a serious global health threat that requires, more than ever before, an urgent need for novel and more effective drugs. In this regard, the present study sheds light on the diversity and antimicrobial potential of Actinobacteria isolates in mining ecosystems. We have indeed investigated the production of bioactive molecules by the Actinobacteria isolated from abandoned mining areas in Midelt, Morocco, where average contents of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are higher than normal world levels. One hundred and forty-five Actinobacteria isolates were isolated and characterized based on morphological, chemotaxonomical, biochemical, and molecular data. Most of the 145 isolates were identified as Streptomyces. Isolates affiliated to the genera Amycolatopsis, Lentzea, Actinopolymorpha, and Pseudonocardia were also found. Antimicrobial producing potentials of Actinobacteria isolates were assessed against eight test microorganisms Gram⁺ and Gram⁻ bacteria and yeast. Out of 145 isolates, 51 showed antimicrobial activities against at least one test microorganism. 31 isolates inhibited only bacteria, 7 showed activity against bacteria and Candida albicans, and 13 displayed activity against C. albicans solely. Our findings suggest that Actinobacteria isolated from natural heavy metal ecosystems may be a valuable source of novel secondary metabolites and therefore of new biotechnologically promising antimicrobial compounds.

Purpose: In this work, we assessed the diversity of culturable halophilic bacteria that produce hydrolytic enzymes from both natural and artificial hypersaline regions in the pre-Rif region of Morocco. Methods: Bacteria were isolated from three hypersaline sites, in solid medium supplemented with various salt concentrations ranging from 0 to 330 g/L. Physical and chemical characteristics of samples from the isolation site were determined to suggest eventual correlations with the occurrence of the halophilic bacteria. Assays on enzymatic activities were performed in submerged cultures in the presence of various salt concentrations and appropriate substrates. Results: Out of a collection of 227 halophilic bacteria, four halophilic groups were established as slightly halophilic, moderately halophilic, halotolerant, or extremely halophilic, with a predominance of halophilic bacteria in the natural hypersaline sites compared to the artificial one. Within this collection, 189 strains showed important hydrolytic activities in submerged cultures with enzymatic activities up to 76 U/mg. Strain characterization and identification was based on phenotypic and molecular traits and allowed the identification of at least 26 genera including Bacillus, Chthonibacter, Mariniabilia, Halobacillus, Salinococcus, Cerasicoccus, Ulvibacter, Halorubrum, Jeatgalicoccus, Brevibacterium, Sanguibacter, Shewanella, Exiguobacterium, Gemella, and Planomicrobium. Conclusion: Data from this study give insights about the origin and the occurrence of halophilic bacteria in natural hypersaline environments compared to artificial hypersaline sites. The occurrence of halophilic hydrolase enzymes from halophilic bacteria gives insights to different applications in biotechnology, thanks to their ability to produce adaptive enzymes and survival strategies to overcome harsh conditions.

Bioremediation using yeasts is an alternative way to minimize the effects of oil spillage on soil. This paper aims to establish a bioremediation protocol involving the optimization of physicochemical parameters. In this regard, three new yeast strains, SK1, SK2 and SK3, were isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated samples from the Fez-Meknes region, Morocco. These isolates were identified as new species of Candida parapsilosis (SK1) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (SK2 and SK3), respectively, based on the similarity of their ITS region. The kinetic analysis of the process of degradation of petroleum oils are highlighted. These analyses were based on the degradation kinetics, and biomass formation using gravimetric analysis and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry techniques. The strains were able to degrade 68% of the total petroleum hydrocarbon in 21 days, as the sole carbon source. The addition of glucose increased the rate at which crude oil was consumed by the isolates. Our results suggest that inoculants based on Candida parapsilosis (SK1) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (SK2 and SK3) cells have potential application in the biodegradation of crude oil and possibly in the degradation of other related aromatic compounds.

Recently, the implication of oxidative stress in behavioral‐like disorders has received a lot of attention. Many studies were interested in searching for new natural compounds with protective effects on behavioral‐like disorders by focusing on oxidative stress as the main causal factor. Here, we assess the potential effect of cell‐free extracts from halophilic bacteria on memory, anxiety, and depression‐related behaviors in mice, as well as on cognitive deficits, negative symptoms, and some oxidative stress biomarkers in methionine‐induced mice models of schizophrenia. Firstly, crude extracts of bacteria isolated from the Dead Sea were screened for their effects on memory and anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviors through Y‐maze, elevated plus maze, and forced swimming test, respectively, using two doses 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg. Then, 120 mg/kg of two bacterial crude extracts, from two strains designated SL₂₂ and BM₂₀ and identified as Bacillus stratosphericus and Pseudomonas zhaodongensis, respectively, with significant contents of phenolic and flavonoid‐like compounds, were selected for the assessment of cognitive and negative symptom improvement, as well as for their effects on oxidative stress status in methionine‐induced mice models of schizophrenia using six groups (controls, methionine, crude extracts solely, and combinations of crude extracts and methionine). Results showed that the administration of the crude extracts caused a significant increase in the spontaneous alternations in the Y‐maze task, the time spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze, and a decrease in immobility time in the forced swimming test in comparison with the control group. Furthermore, the administration of bacterial extracts seemed to diminish disorders related to cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and to improve the oxidative state in the temporal lobes, in comparison with the methionine group. Our findings suggest substantial antioxidant and anti‐neuropsychiatric effects of the crude extracts prepared from Pseudomonas zhaodongensis strain BM₂₀ and Bacillus stratosphericus strain SL₂₂ and that further studies are needed to purify and to determine the active fraction from the extracts.

Hydroxytyrosol (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2-benzenediol) is the most known bioactive compound from the plant Olea europaea (olive tree). To date, few biocatalysis processes allowing efficient production of hydroxytyrosol from potential substrates including, tyrosol (2-(4-hydroxy) phenyl ethanol) and tyrosine have been reported. In this paper, we report for a Gram-positive bacterium that produces hydroxytyrosol via conversion of tyrosol and/or L-tyrosine, identified as a Rhodococcus pyridinivorans based on phenotypic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence, and designated R. pyridinivorans strain 3HYL DSM109178. Interestingly, strain 3HYL shows an outstanding production of hydroxytyrosol from tyrosol up to 16.4 ± 0.23 mmol/L with high kinetic parameters exceeding the reported values. However, a slight downstream metabolism of the product is assigned to the wild-type strain during the stationary phase of growth. The plasmid-cured strain was obtained using random chemical mutagenesis, designated R. pyridinivorans 3HYL-AO, and was able to produce hydroxytyrosol, with yields up to 21.75 ± 0.34 mmol/L. Moreover, the plasmid-cured strain exhibited a significant reduction in the transformation to its acetic acid forms compared to the wild-type strain as depicted by HPLC analysis. Comparison of kinetic data of the bioconversion/accumulation process between the wild type and mutant strain, in the presence and absence of L-tyrosine, and thus suggesting the occurrence of an upstream pathway for synthesis of tyrosol via (L)-tyrosine.

This study investigated the effect of different culture agar media, derived from Bennett’s medium, on the antimicrobial activity of 15 Streptomyces sp. and 1 Lentzea sp. strains isolated from mining environments. The media were prepared from the standard Bennett’s medium by suppressing one, two, or three ingredients—yeast extract (YE), beef extract (BE), or casein (Cas)—while maintaining glucose (Gluc) or by substituting it with fructose (Fruc) or galactose (Gal) and keeping the same suppressions. The antimicrobial activity was investigated against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, and Escherichia coli K12. The antimicrobial activity of actinomycete strains was positively influenced by media modifications, though the response was actinomycete strain and target pathogen-dependent. Unexpectedly, thirteen strains exhibited poor growth on a pure agar-agar medium, including six Streptomyces strains (AS34, AS3, BS59, BS68, BS69, and DAS104) that showed notable antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 10.75 ± 1.06 to 18.00 ± 0.00 mm. Modifications of Bennett’s medium, including replacing glucose with fructose or galactose and maintaining yeast extract or both yeast extract and beef extract, induced and enhanced the antimicrobial activity of several actinomycete strains. Notably, the new media induced antimicrobial activity in strains that showed no activity in Bennett’s medium. They led, compared to Bennett’s medium, to the detection of eight additional active strains against S. aureus, eight against B. subtilis, six against E. coli, and four against C. albicans. This study is the first to explore the modification of Bennett’s medium, either by subtraction or substitution, in order to investigate the effect on antimicrobial activity of actinomycete strains. These results highlight the importance of the composition of culture media on inducing or boosting antimicrobial activity in Streptomyces and Lentzea.