Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2006.470.472DeviN.K. AshaJeyaraniM. BalakrishnanK. 3200693The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify high antimicrobial activity producing actinomycetes strains from marine habitat, to study antimicrobial production to determine their for the inhibition of the growth of the common human pathogens. Marine actinomycetes strains were isolated from coastal water of Dhanushkodi, Ramanathapuram District, India. Out of 10 isolated actinomycetes species 3 were identified and selected for antimicrobial activity. Out of the 3 actinomycetes species, Streptomyces sp. showed the best level of antibacterial and antifungal effect against selected human pathogens of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Klebsiella sp. and Aspergillus niger. So, Streptomyces of actinomycetes may offer the potential to understand and develop treatments for disease based on the normal physiological role of their secondary metabolites. Hence, it is anticipated that the isolation, characterization and the study on actinomycetes can be useful in the discovery of antibiotics and novel species of marine actinomycetes.]]>Bernan, V.S., M. Greenstein and W.M. Maiese,1997435790Holt, J.G., N. Krieg, P.A.H. Sneath and S.T. Williams,19949th Edn.,Kokare, C.R., K.R. Mahadik and S.S. Kadam,200433248256Lachevalier, H.A.,1989pp: 2344-2347pp: 2344-2347Lakshmanaperumalsamy, D., D. Chandramohan and R. Natarajan,1994Streptomycetes. Isolated from portonova costal environment.]]>231524Locci, R.,1989Streptomyces and Related Genera. Bergey`s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology.]]>pp: 2541-2508pp: 2541-2508Munro, M.H.G., J.W. Blunt, E.J. Dumdei, S.J.H. Hickford and R.E. Lill et al.,1999701525Okazaki, T. and Y. Okami,197225461466Okami, Y. and T. Okazaki,197225456460Pisano, M.A., M.J. Sommer and L. Brancacci,198931609612Pomponi, S.A.,199970513Postmaster, C. and Y.M. Frietas,197517118118Saadown, I. and R. Gharaibeh,2003Streptomyces flora of Badia region of Jordon and its potential as a source of antibiotic resistant bacteria.]]>53365371Schillinger, U. and F. Lucke,1989Lactobacillus strain isolated from meat.]]>5519011906Sharma, S.L. and A. Pant,2001Rhodococcus sp. Indian.]]>30146150Tortora, G.J., B.R. Funke and C.L. Case,20006th Edn.,pp: 659-668pp: 659-668Wagner, D.I., W. Beil, S. Lang, M. Meiners and H. Latch,200274207238Weyland, H.,1969223858858Waksman, S.A.,1961Vol. 2,pp: 61-292pp: 61-292