Streptomyces is one of the most abundant microbial genera in cave environments. The characteristic most notable of Streptomyces is its ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites –such as antifungals, antivirals, antitumorales, anti-hypertensives, immunosuppressants, and antibiotics. Through the present research, secondary metabolites produced by the cave-dwelling Streptomyces sp. strain ICC1 were examined; a strain which is prevalent in the isolated environment of the Iron Curtain Cave in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Secondary metabolites secreted by Streptomyces sp. ICC1 have demonstrated antimicrobial properties, effective against both multi-drug resistant strains and common laboratory strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Liquid organic solvent extractions as well as preparative and analytical reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography suggest that the bioactive secondary metabolites are polar with hydrophobic substituents. Further instrumental analysis is required to determine the antimicrobial active secondary metabolites structure and mode of action.
