I am working with an unknown antimicrobial agent from soil bacteria. On well diffusion assay it showed antimicrobial activity on few pathogens, but the widest and clearest zone was on S. aureus strain. I am trying to determinate the nature of this agent: the pronase E test was negative, the extraction of overnight culture and supernatant with few organic solvents didn't show activity. Interestingly, the filtered supernatant of overnight cultures didn't show activity either, but the zone width is suggesting that it is something diffusible.
Next, I will try to test in time-dependent manner, but can you suggest me other assays to try to determinate nature of this agent? Thank you!