Actinobacteria from soils and their applications in environmental bioremediation

Actinobacteria is one of the major groups of bacteria, found ubiquitously in many soils in the environment. They are mostly aerobic, Gram-positive, and have filamentous nature. Actinobacteria are primarily involved in nutrient recycling, but they have also been shown to have the ability to degrade pollutants and produce a wide array of bioactive metabolites and enzymes. They have been documented as useful organic decomposers, producers of antimicrobial compounds, and recently, as bioagents for bioremediation. This chapter presents the diversity of actinobacteria found in various soils around the globe, from soils that are pristine to polluted soils. Their application for the removal of toxic pollutants such as metals, dyes, hydrocarbons, and pesticides will also be discussed. In addition, the various mechanisms of removal by actinobacteria and the techniques implemented will also be highlighted.