Isolation of Soil Fungi Associated With Antibiotics Production

ABSTRACT
The study was aimed to isolate and charaterize antibiotic producing fungi from the soil
environment within kano state polytechnic Staff Quarters Sheikh jaafar road. Soil samples were
collected from three different locations within kano state polytechnic Staff Quarters for the
isolation of fungi. The physiochemical parameters of the soil samples showed a temperature range
of 28°c to 35°c pH was found to be neutral and slightly above neutral (7.00___8.00), Electrical
conductivity was found to be within the range of 70____75. Spread plate method involving serial
dilution technique was used for the isolation using Potatoe Dextrose Agar (PDA).Six species of
fungi were isolated from the soil samples and then characterized microscopically and
morphologically. The fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus,
Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp, and Mucor sp.Sensitivity test was employed to determine the ability
of the fungal isolates to produce antimicrobials. All the fungal isolates were found to inhibit the
growth of at at least one of the test pathogens except fusarium, The zones of inhibition ranged
between 14.3mm/d in Penicillium against Escherichia Coli to 8mm in Mucor sp against
Escherichia Coli, Fusarium Sp exhibit no activity (NA) against all the tested organisms, The
findings of this study shows that antibiotic- producing fungus are prevalent in the soil of kano state
polytechnic Staff Quarters Sheikh jaafar, road and that these strains could be used by
pharmaceutical companies to produce antibiotics from local sources.
Keywords: Antibiotic producing; soil fungi;