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Actinomycetes are prolific producers of many bioactive metabolites, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral or anticancer substances. They belong to Gram-positive bacteria and are isolated from different environments. Among actinomycetes, the Streptomyces genus plays a major role in productivity of metabolites with biological activity and is most widespread all over the world. From the beginning of golden era of antibiotics, actinomycetes metabolites were mainly isolated from the soil. As the obtaining the previously discovered metabolites from terrestrial habitats increases, there are attempts to look for new sources, e.g. seas, oceans, etc. Marine isolates are different from soil actinomycetes in their chemical structures, mode of action or biological activity. Marine sponges are especially rich in actinomycete strains. However, actinomycetes are also isolated from fallen leaves, ants’ nests, deserts, Antarctica sediments and snow cores, caves or spider materials.

1. Introduction. 2. Bioactive metabolites from actinomycetes. 3. Actinomycetes in different environments. 4. Soil actinomycetes. 5. Actinomycetes in marine environment. 6. Other sources. 7. Summary