1.1 Introduction
Antibiotics can be defined as any chemical substance of small organic molecules which at low amounts are harmful to the metabolic activities and growth of other microbes (Brun and Skimkets, 2000). The natural products obtained from microorganisms are still appearing as the most auspicious source of the future antibiotics (Pelaez, 2006). Antibiotics which are mostly in use today are the natural derivatives of fungi and actinomycetes (Tawiah et al., 2012). In nature, there is universal dissemination of antibiotics among the microorganisms responsible for their antagonism (Euanorasetr et al., 2010).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Antibiotics are chemicals when the chemical are put into the body, they stop the growth of kinds of germs. They help the body to fight diseases. More than 3,000 years ago ancient people stumbled over the discovery that some moulds could be used as a cure. There are numbers of bacteria which are capable of producing antibiotics which include Bacillus (Waites et al., 2008), Actinomycetes (Abdulkadir and Waliyu, 2012; Tiwari and Gupta, 2013) Pseudomonas (Cartwright et al., 1995), and Streptomyces (Willey et al., 2008) and most of these isolates are soil bacteria.
Extensive use of antibiotics both for clinical and veterinary purposes leads to the development of resistance in many infectious strains (Kurtboke et al., 1992). With the continuation of this process of resistance, the search for new anti-infective drugs should be carried out (Thakur et al., 2007; Brown and Wright, 2005). In addition to the resistance problem, a number of new infectious diseases have been discovered over the past 30 years (Zimmerman and Zimmerman, 2003; Bryskier, 2005).
Soil is rich in microorganisms which are capable of producing antibiotics (Brun and Skimkets, 2000). The traditional approach is ‘random screening’ in which bacteria are isolated, grown and their activity spectrum was assessed. Even this has been done for more than 50 years still we are getting results in favor to us and thus we are sticking with this approach (Wawrik et al., 2007).
In 1945, Waksman used the word antibiotics for the first time and proposed that it can be defined as a chemical substance of microbial origin that possesses antibiotic powers. He discovered a drug called streptomycin. It originated from microbes found in soil and was a cure for many intestinal diseases. Now antibiotics like penicillin and streptomycin was discovered. Each was effective against certain disease, but scientist wanted more. Doctors however, anted broad spectrum drug. That is a single antibiotic that could cure many diseases. Therefore, this work was carried out to Screen and Isolate Bacteria from Soil with Potential to Produce Antibiotics in Ekiti State, Nigeria
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that a lot of people have died as a result of formation of kidney stones, when taking sulphonamides due to lack of information about the side effect of antibiotics usage.
Due to the problem encountered in Enugu Urban (obiagu), most people abuse antibiotics owing to the general belief that antibiotics can be used in the treatment of all kinds of diseases. This can result to drug resist. Accumulation of these drugs can lead to internal denage. Hence this study which compares the antimicrobial strength of three antibiotics.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Screening and Isolation of Bacteria from Soil with Potential to Produce Antibiotics. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were laid out as follows:
- To assess the antibiotic producer bacteria from screened soil samples
- To find out the production process of Antibiotics as a result of Screening and Isolation of Bacteria from soil samples
- To evaluate the antibiotic producer bacteria from isolated soil samples
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Screening and Isolation of Bacteria from Soil with Potential to Produce Antibiotics in Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Technical Terms
Synergistic: Synergistic is the interaction between two or more substance, it is used to describe things that produce, result from or otherwise involve synergy
Antibiotics: Antibacterial anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. Heat, chemicals such as chlorine, and antibiotic drugs all have antibacterial properties.
Activity: the condition in which things are happening or being done.
Constraint: a limitation or restriction.
Estimate: roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.
Total: comprising the whole number or amount.
Phenolic: a usually thermosetting resin or plastic made by condensation of a phenol with an aldehyde and used especially for molding and insulating and in coatings and adhesives.
Compound: a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture.
Methanol: Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol amongst other names, is a chemical and the simplest alcohol. It is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odour similar to that of ethanol.
