Production of novel antifungal compounds from actinomycetes isolated from waste dump soil in Western Uganda

Drug resistant and opportunistic organisms are a problem to medical health due to the fact that most of the drugs that were used are now not effective. Currently, there is a need to search for new drugs that can enhance the control of these organisms. Actinomycetes and their secondary metabolites can be used as such drugs. This study was designed to isolate actinomycetes producing novel anti-fungal compounds from waste dump soil in Western Uganda. Fifty six (56) actinomycetes were isolated from 22 waste dump soil samples. All isolates were screened using modified spektra - plak method against Candida albicans ATCC1023, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Rhizopus sp. Eight 8(14.29%) isolates showed antifungal activity to at least one test fungi during primary screening. Two isolates [KBRWDSa (FR) and KBMWDSb6] showed activity to all test fungi. Secondary screening was carried out by growing all 56 isolates in broth and their supernatant was tested for antifungal activity using agar well diffusion method. 11(19.64%) of these isolates showed activity against at least one test fungi with mean zone of inhibition 5.33 to 29.69 mm. Isolate KBMWDSb6 showed a broad spectrum activity against all test fungi. The remaining broths were extracted using ethanol. The ethanol extract at 2.5 mg/ml concentration was also tested for antifungal activity using agar well diffusion method. 13 (23.21%) isolates showed activity against at least one test fungi with mean zone of inhibition 6.33 to 30.67mm. The findings showed that some of these isolates had antifungal activity.