ABSTRACT

 Two hundred and forty isolates were isolated from the cow dung, compost, soils where the hides and skin of animals were burnt. Three isolates designated A1, A7, and A43 displayed clear zones of inhibition characteristic of Actinomycetes. The isolates were further characterized by examining their colony morphology, cover slip culture techniques, carbon utilization potentials, gram staining reaction and amylase activity. The α-amylase activity was determined on solid medium supplemented with starch. The detection α-amylase activity of the isolates was based on the formation of clear zones around the colonies when flooded with iodine. The decolourization abilities of the isolates were also determined. The isolates showed good absorption characteristics and degrading capacity on the dye Congo red and brilliant green. It showed that Actinomycetes are potential decolorizer of dye stuffs and are good biosorbent.