Researcher Information

Abstract

Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant pathogens, development of new antimicrobials is a necessity. Biologically active plant extracts have the potential to combat the detrimental effects of pathogens without the risks sometimes associated with synthetic drugs. However, synthetic drugs have the benefit of having antibacterial activity and being well characterized. Mixing a natural plant extract with a synthetic compound could be an extremely beneficial and potent antibiotic. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various classes of plants and synthetic compounds (2-Oxindole derivatives) against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial activity of the plant extracts and synthetic compounds were tested on gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. DMSO was used as a negative control and tetracycline was used as a positive control. The results indicated that Rosemary and Allspice had a large zone of inhibition on S. aureus. Of the ten synthetic compounds tested, none inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa, one inhibited the growth of E. coli only and one inhibited the growth of S. aureus only. Interestingly, five of the ten compounds inhibited the growth of both S. aureus and S. pyogenes, indicating that the compounds are more effective against gram-positive bacteria. Compounds were diluted and re-tested to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. Further analysis includes evaluation of synergism between natural products and synthetic compounds.

Faculty Sponsors

Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D.

Project Type

Event

Location

Alvin Sherman Library

Start Date

4-10-2015 1:00 PM

End Date

4-10-2015 5:30 PM

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Apr 10th, 1:00 PM Apr 10th, 5:30 PM

Antibacterial of Natural Plant Extracts and Synthetic Compounds

Alvin Sherman Library

Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant pathogens, development of new antimicrobials is a necessity. Biologically active plant extracts have the potential to combat the detrimental effects of pathogens without the risks sometimes associated with synthetic drugs. However, synthetic drugs have the benefit of having antibacterial activity and being well characterized. Mixing a natural plant extract with a synthetic compound could be an extremely beneficial and potent antibiotic. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various classes of plants and synthetic compounds (2-Oxindole derivatives) against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial activity of the plant extracts and synthetic compounds were tested on gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. DMSO was used as a negative control and tetracycline was used as a positive control. The results indicated that Rosemary and Allspice had a large zone of inhibition on S. aureus. Of the ten synthetic compounds tested, none inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa, one inhibited the growth of E. coli only and one inhibited the growth of S. aureus only. Interestingly, five of the ten compounds inhibited the growth of both S. aureus and S. pyogenes, indicating that the compounds are more effective against gram-positive bacteria. Compounds were diluted and re-tested to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. Further analysis includes evaluation of synergism between natural products and synthetic compounds.