1 November 2021 (Monday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has received another Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) recognition, this time for the ‘Largest Ex-situ Collection of Isolated Actinobacteria’ today.

From left: Lili Sahira, Jwan Heah, Ismail and Getha during the certificate presentation.	The MBR certificate received.

MBR Marketing Director Jwan Heah presented the certificate, dated 20 April 2021, to FRIM Director General Dr Ismail Parlan at the MBR Headquarter in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Also present, Natural Products Division, Bioactivity Programme, Biomolecular Research Laboratory (MPB) Head Dr Getha A/P R. Krishnasamy, Research Officer Lili Sahira Husin, Corporate Communication Head Toh An Nee, FRIM Information Officer Nur Afniza Mohammad Ghazali and MBR General Administration Executive Officer Siti Hajar Johor.

A total of 6,641 isolates of Actinobacteria cryopreserved at -80^oC in glycerol, is the largest conservation of a well-documented collection of indigenous Actinobacteria isolated from various states in Peninsular Malaysia.

Actinobacteria is a group of filamentous gram-positive bacteria with potential applications in healthcare (drug discovery), agriculture, bioremediation, production of enzymes and other important products for industrial uses. This makes FRIM’s Actinobacteria collection a valuable treasure to support the nation’s efforts in conserving microbial diversity and at the same time to provide sustainable resources for research and commercialisation.

Congratulations to Dr Getha and the MPB team on this achievement. The MBR recognition received today is the 45^th for FRIM.