Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Chitosan in Integument of Cockroaches

Abstract

Because of the drug resistance and toxic side effects observed following administration of many antibacterial drugs, novel strategies are highly needed for treatment of bacterial diseases. Chitosan important immune system stimulators, is found in cockroaches who are living in contaminated sites. this substance appears to help the cockroaches strongly deal with pathogens. The aim of this study was to extract thechitosan from nymph and adult stage of both Blattella germanica and Preplenta amercana and evaluate its antibactral and antifungal activities. To demineralize the insect's integument powder, HCl 1 normal was used. In addition, the process of deproteination was performed by using(for transformation integument powder into chitin )NaOH 1normal. Subsequently, by NaOH 50% chitin was deastelated[F1] to chitosan. Finally chitosan was dissolved in lactic acid 1 % and preserved until the time of antitrichomonal and antifungal activity examinations.. Chitosan extracted from cockroaches shows beneficial effects on Gram + bacterias. For instance, it has shown powerful impacts on E.Coli and Estafilococos oreous, but not on fungi. The current study revealed that chitosan has excellent antibacterial activities and could be considered as a new approach to fight various bacterial agents. Chitosan is also was effective against Fungi (in a high pH environment) Furthermore, we identified biochemical processes resulted in chitin deacetylation to chitosan within the insect's body. There are evidence showing that the blockage of chitin makes the insects much more vulnerable to microbial infections.