Abstract
Native egg white protein with high level of acidic amino acid residues (pI = 4.8) and hydrophilic nature was transformed into its methylated derivative (MEW), acquiring rather hydrophobic and basic character (pI = 8). The MIC of MEW against ten studied bacteria (G+ and G−) ranged between 0.5 and 1 μg/disc matching or excelling the comparative values of some known specific antibiotics (ranging from 1 to 7.5 μg/disc). Combinations of MEW (1 MIC) and different ready-made disc concentrations of antibiotics indicated either nil, antagonistic or synergistic antimicrobial effect. Replacing the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin by gradual levels of MEW (20–100 %) proportionally increased the potentiality to induce bigger sized inhibition zones. MEW (1 MIC) could inhibit the growth of 6 G+ and 4 G− pathogenic bacteria in their liquid broth media during 24 h at 37 °C, indicating its broad and wide specificity. TEM examination indicated the susceptibility of the two types of bacteria (G+ and G−) to the antimicrobial action of MEW as manifested in different signs of cellular deformations, confirming its broad specificity and its mode of action was rather targeting the cell wall and cell membrane.
Highlights
Antibiotics are gradually losing their antibacterial effectiveness over the last decades, as pathogens evolve resistance against them
Protein characterization HPLC analysis indicated the presence of 18 amino acid in the composition of native egg white protein
The only exceptions were against L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii and B. cereus where the Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were relatively high, i.e., 4, 10 and 10 μg/disc, respectively (Table 1)
Summary
Antibiotics are gradually losing their antibacterial effectiveness over the last decades, as pathogens evolve resistance against them. The evolved resistant microorganisms are able to combat antibiotics, leading to ineffective treatment, persistence and spread of infections (Jyoti et al 2014). Antibacterial resistance continues to be a global public health concern, threatening the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy and posing challenges to the efforts of developing novel antibiotics. Morbidity and mortality issued from drugresistant infections are on the rise all-over the world. WHO (The World Health Organization) has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the three greatest threats to human health. WHO day in 2011 focused on “Combating Antibiotic Resistance” (WHO 2011)
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