Aims To identify and assess the biological activities of the crude extract of a Streptomyces isolate from a salty wetland, an extreme environment likely to induce secondary metabolism of micro-organisms. Methods and Results The crude extract from the isolate Streptomyces lanatus strain AR2 displayed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (MICs ranging from 5 to 50 mu g ml(-1)) and antioxidant activity as revealed in DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay (IC50 of 0 center dot 74 mg ml(-1)), ferric reducing antioxidant power (IC50 of 1 center dot 12 mg ml(-1)) and metal-chelating power (IC50 of 1 center dot 84 mg ml(-1)) assays. Accordingly, the extract attenuated the H2O2-induced oxidative stress in the eukaryotic cell model Saccharomyces cerevisiae, assessed by flow cytometry. The profiling of secondary metabolites by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS revealed the presence of 17 compounds, some of which reported in Streptomyces for the first time to the best of our knowledge: genistein-7-O-glucuronide, naringenin-7-O-rutinoside and resveratrol. Conclusions Streptomyces lanatus AR2 produced unique polyketides and phenolic compounds with noticeable bioactivities, allowing adaptation to the extreme environment. Significance and Impact of the Study Sabkhat Seijoumi salty wetland represents a potential niche for Streptomyces yielding useful natural products for biotechnological, pharmaceutical and medical applications.