Ecological features and biotechnological possibilities of soil actinobacteria (review)

Abstract

Actinobacteria are gram-positive aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria that tend to form branching hyphae capable of developing into mycelium. Their main role is in the decomposition of complex polymers in the soil: lignin, cellulose, chitin, humus substances; fertility formation; production of antibiotic substances; accumulation of biologically active compounds. Actinobacteria secrete into the environment a complex of secondary exometabolites of various compositions with aliphatic, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, nitrogenous, oxygen-containing and sulfur-containing compounds. Most of the isolated secondary metabolites have antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, herbicidal, insecticidal properties. Biotechnological capabilities of soil actinobacteria producing biologically active substances with a wide range of environmental effects are used in the development of multifunctional biologics for various industries. Actinobacteria play a crucial role in optimizing the growing conditions of plants, and therefore there is a natural interest in studying the factors that influence the relationship between actinobacteria and various crops in specific soil conditions. The development of this issue is an important link in the ecological characterization of the soil microbial complex and it will help to develop the theoretical foundations for the targeted regulation of the interactions of actinobacteria with phytopathogenic microorganisms and insect pests. The purpose of this work is to analyze the ecological features and biotechnological capabilities of soil actinobacteria. The review describes the distribution of actinobacteria in various types of soils, including those with the presence of pollutant; the composition of the metabolites produced; relationships with other microorganisms, as well as biotechnological properties and the possibility of using actinobacteria for the development of biological products for agroecosystems.