Actinomycetes are a group of bacteria that are known for their filamentous branching growth structure. They are Gram-positive, mostly aerobic, and are of major importance in the decomposition of organic material and the cycling of nutrients in the environment. Actinomycetes are also known for their ability to produce antibiotics, which makes them important in medical and industrial applications.
The names of actinomycetes vary depending on the species, but some common examples include Streptomyces, Nocardia, Actinomadura, Micromonospora, and Thermoactinomyces. Streptomyces are the most well-known and studied of the actinomycetes, and are known for producing a wide variety of compounds and antibiotics. Nocardia are soil-dwelling actinomycetes that are also capable of producing antibiotics, and are known to cause opportunistic infections in humans. Actinomadura, Micromonospora, and Thermoactinomyces are all species of actinomycetes that are found in soil and are known to produce antibiotics as well.
In addition to antibiotics, actinomycetes are also known to produce a variety of other compounds and molecules such as enzymes, vitamins, and pigments. As such, they have a wide variety of applications in the medical, industrial, and agricultural fields.