Scientific Background & Relevance
- Thermophiles are bacteria that thrive in high temperatures (45–70°C), intolerable for most life forms.
- Hot environments like hot springs, deep-sea vents, compost piles are rich in minerals but have fewer life competitors.
- Thermophiles often produce potent antibiotics to outcompete other organisms in these harsh niches.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Study at Rajgir Hot Spring Lake (Nalanda, Bihar)
- Conducted by Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Tamil Nadu.
- Marked as one of India’s first microbiological investigations into the Rajgir hot spring.
- Temperature of water and soil samples ranged between 43–45°C.
Key Findings
- Used 16S rRNA metagenomics to analyze microbial diversity.
- Found Actinobacteria dominated (40–43%) of the microbial population.
- Significant since most hot springs globally have <20% Actinobacteria.
- Known for producing important antibiotics (e.g., streptomycin, tetracycline).
Antibacterial Potential
- Isolated seven strains of Actinobacteria that showed potent antibacterial activity.
- Tested against pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus.
- Identified antibacterial activity by observing growth inhibition on culture plates.
Discovery of New Antimicrobial Compound
- Diethyl phthalate extracted using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Sourced from Actinomycetales bacterium spp.
- Effective against Listeria monocytogenes, a deadly foodborne pathogen causing listeriosis.
Broader Implications
- Urgent need for new antibiotics due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- WHO projects $1 trillion global healthcare cost by 2050 due to AMR.
- Discovery at Rajgir highlights the untapped potential of Indian hot springs in antibiotic research.
Industrial & Agricultural Applications
- Thermophiles also produce enzymes and compounds useful in:
- PCR testing (e.g., enzyme from Thermus aquaticus used in COVID testing).
- Agriculture: e.g., Leh hot springs’ bacteria shown to promote plant growth.
Challenges & Gaps
- Indian hot springs are still understudied despite their potential.
- Field sampling in extreme temperatures is logistically difficult.
- Identifying active compounds from a microbial pool remains a time-intensive process.
