Abstract: Soil samples were screened for bacteria with antibiotic production potential. The
two isolates which showed very good antibacterial activity were identified as Bacillus cereus
and Bacillus pumilus. The metabolites of the two bacteria were subjected to various solvent
extractions and the extracts were tested for antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS radical
scavenging assay. The metabolites of both bacteria exhibited significant antioxidant activity by
exhibiting 97% and 88.5% radical scavenging by ABTS method for B. pumilus and B. cereus with
IC50 values at 16.2+1.17µg/ml and 55.12+2.51µg/ml respectively. They showed less radical
scavenging activity by DPPH assay. The two bacteria by their antioxidant activity promises to
have bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential and other useful health benefits.