Abstract

• The present study is concerned with the screening and isolation of glucose isomerase producing Streptomyces species from soil. Eleven soil samples were collected from the University of Yangon Campus (YU) and Pharmaceutical Research Department Campus (PRD), Yangon, Myanmar. A total of 29 strains of microorganisms were isolated and their glucose isomerase activites were screened by two different methods such as plate assay method by using three different media; X+P+, X+P- and wheat bran, and by fructose estimation method by using Seliwanoff’s reagents. Among these 29 strains, only four strains: YU1-MAN3, YU3-PNI42, YU3-PNI44 and YU7-RCC3 showed glucose isomerase activity, and two strains YU3-PNI42and YU3-PNI44 were characterized as Streptomyces sp. according to the morphology, Gram’s staining, spore staining, catalase test, gelatin test and nitrate test. The activities of glucose isomerase enzymes GI-PNI42 and GI-PNI44, extracted from Streptomyces sp. YU3-PNI 42 and YU3-PNI 44, were found to be 0.070 μmol min-1 mL-1 and 0.052 μmol min-1 mL-1, respectively.