The search for new antibiotics continues in a rather overlooked hunting ground. In this study screening for new antibiotic-producing microorganisms, isolates showing antimicrobial activity were isolated from soil samples of various habitats in the coastal region of Ganga, Neeldhara river bank, and , Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. 29 isolates of actinomycetes were isolated from soil samples collected in the area of various localities of Haridwar region. These isolates were tested for their antagonistic properties against test bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcesens, and Escherichia coli. Pure culture of isolates were identified by morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical studies. Thirteen of 29 were identified as members belonging to the genus Streptomycetes, nine belong to genus Nocardia and the remaining seven belong to the genus Micromonospora. The study indicated that ‘Haridwar’ soil had diverse group of actinomycetes and isolates which have relatively high antibacterial activities among these isolates underlined their potential as a source of novel antibiotics of pharmaceutical interest. | Studied on the antibacterial potential of actinomycetes isolated from the Haridwar region of Uttarakhand, India
