Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** microbes are an integral part of…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** microbes are an integral part of the soil ecosystem. Soil microbes with beneficial properties could be utilized for sustainable agriculture, food security, and human health. Among soil microbes, actinomycetes and their metabolites offer a solution to surpass the yield barrier caused by plant and food-borne bacterial and fungal pathogens, while avoiding some of the costs, and the impacts of chemical inputs (fungicides, bacteriocides) on human health and environment. Current proposal aims to develop actinomycetes-derived metabolites as antimicrobial agents to prevent/treat plant disease and preserve fresh produce and food from spoilage. The specific objectives are to: (1) isolate actinomycete species from the soils of unique niches and create a library of strains, (2) screen the isolates to identify bioactive metabolites against a panel of common foodborne and plant pathogens, and (3) characterize the active metabolites at the molecular level and determine the efficacy of the pure compounds against the panel of test pathogens. The outcome of this project will i) offer microbial natural product-based solutions to control plant and foodborne pathogens and address significant problems facing agriculture and food production/protection in the US, II) provide excellent educational opportunities for minority students, and III) enhance research, outreach, and education capacities of umes. This project aligns with all of the three goals of the CBG program by establishing research collaboration between umes and the university of kentucky will facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise between the institutions, and will strengthen research capabilities at umes.