Forty Isolates of Streptomyces bacteria were obtained from soil samples
from different regions of Syria (Damascus, Sweida, Daraa, Homs, Latakia,
Damascus, Hasakeh, Deir-ezzor) during 2012. The isolates were identified using
ISP (International Stre
ptomyces Project) methodology based on morphological
and physiological criteria. Isolates were grown on selective solid media
depending on growth density as an indicator of the consumption of xylose as an
unique carbon source then on liquid media to determine their ability to
produce the glucose isomerase enzyme. The crude enzyme was extracted using
CTAB 0.1% solution, the enzyme activity was estimated using glucose as a
substrate and the end product was measured colorimetrically at 560 nm.
Results showed that the 40 isolates belong to 29 different species of
Streptomyces. All isolates were able to produce glucose isomerase but they
varied in their efficiency. Isolate SH10 (S. roseiscleroticus) was distinguished by
its high level of enzyme production reaching 4.9 units /ml.
