Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global health threat, directly causing millions of deaths annually, a situation exacerbated in the Philippines, where the rise of ESKAPE pathogens contributes substantially to drug-resistant infections. This thesis aims to explore the Streptomyces species from the sediments of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, as a potential source of antimicrobial agents against selected ESKAPE pathogens. The study will involve the collection of sediments at three sampling sites at a depth of 15-30m. Streptomyces will be isolated using a Starch Casein Agar. The identification will be observed morphologically and using 16S rRNA sequencing. Antimicrobial activity will be tested using the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion assay. Bioactive compound identification will be conducted via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The expected outcomes of this study include the isolation and identification of diverse and novel Streptomyces species from Lake Sebu and the identification of the bioactive compounds produced against selected ESKAPE pathogens. This study will provide insights on the Streptomyces diversity of the freshwater ecosystems in the Philippines and thereby serves as basis for  further studies on the in-depth characterization of isolated bioactive compounds, potentially contributing to the development of novel therapeutic approaches against ESKAPE pathogens.