GC-MS Analysis of Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria Isolated from The Soil Environment of Zamfara State

Abstract

Antibiotics produced by soil microorganisms, are crucial for treating bacterial and fungal diseases. Due to antibiotic resistance, a broad spectrum of antibiotics from bacteria is needed. Soil samples from Zamfara state were used for detecting antibiotic-producing bacteria. The study involved physico-chemical analysis, pour plate methods, biochemical tests and molecular characterization using 16s rRNA. Agar well diffusion method was employed to test isolates’ ability to inhibit pathogens growth and their potential for antibiotic production. Antibiotics production was assessed through small-scale submerged fermentation condition. Compounds were extracted using solvent extraction method, thin layer chromatography and GC-MS analysis were used for separation and identification.  Data analysis were done using SPSS and were presented as mean, standard error of mean, and Anova. The soil samples exhibited light brown to dark brown colors, indicating clay-loamy, loamy-sandy and sandy-loamy. Sample C had the highest pH (7.31±.03), Sample H had the highest temperature (26^oC), sample D had the highest electrical conductivity (108µs/m), and sample B had the highest moisture content (5.6). Six bacteria were identified and these include; Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Providencia stuartii, Providencia alcalificiens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Micrococcus luteus. All the organisms inhibited at least one pathogen, with Bacillus cereus showing the highest zone of inhibition. GC-MS analysis revealed diverse bioactive compounds namely, Carbonic acid, Glycerin, Nonadecane, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, L-arabinitol, and Methylchloroformate. This study has demonstrated the diversity of bacterial population in the local soils and potential production of antibiotics that can be useful for many medical applications and further studies are recommended.