Where do the majority of our antibiotics come from?

The majority of antibiotics are derived from soil microorganisms, particularly from bacteria and fungi that naturally produce these compounds as a defense mechanism against other microorganisms. The discovery of penicillin from the fungus Penicillium notatum is one of the most famous examples, highlighting how organisms in the soil can produce substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Soil microorganisms have been a rich source for the development of many antibiotics, as they are involved in complex ecological interactions within the soil environment. Researchers isolated various antibiotic compounds from different microbial strains found in soil, leading to the development of many important antibiotics still in use today.

While some antibiotics can also be synthesized in laboratories or produced from plant and animal sources, the foundational discovery and large-scale development of antibiotics have predominantly originated from the diverse and complex biosynthetic capabilities of soil microorganisms. This underscores the importance of soil health and biodiversity in the search for new and effective antibiotics.