Abstract
Due to physical and chemical properties as well as biocompatibility, spider silk has a great potential for use in medicine and biotechnology. It is applicable in the regeneration of the skin and nerve grafts. In this work, antibacterial property of spider silk was investigated. This feature would be especially useful for the application of spider threads in medicine. Silk of the spiders Linothele fallax (Mello-Leitão, 1926) and Linothele megatheloides Paz & Raven, 1990 was tested on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Prior to inoculation, thesilk was weighed, sterilized with hydrogen peroxide and the effect of the silk on bacteria was tested in Mueller-Hinton broth. A lack of antibacterial properties of the silk of L. fallax and L. megatheloides was observed. The results on antimicrobial properties of silk of mygalomorph spiders are published for the first time.
Highlights
No significant decrease (p > 0.05) in the samples with silk added was observed for all bacterial species, regardless of the amount of the silk added and the spider species
The addition of silk to the medium did not inhibit the growth of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. faecalis
Similar results were obtained by Wright (2011), who tested the spider web of Lasiodora parahybana Mello-Leitao, 1917
Summary
The ability to produce silk is the most remarkable feature of spiders. Different types of silk produced by spiders are used by them in various ways, which inspires peoples. There has been an increase in the interest of researchers in this biomaterial and attempts to apply it in various areas of human life. Spiders, depending on their needs, are able to produce several types of silk that differ in biochemical components and physical properties. Spiders use silk to secure their eggs, wrap the prey, store sperm, communicate, make shelter, and disperse (ballooning) (Żabka 2013) There are several types of silk glands in Araneomorphae (mostly in orb-weavers): aggregate, cylindriform, flagelliform, aciniform, minor and major ampullate (Foelix 2011), and often a single gland type in Mygalomorphae (Palmer et al 1982; Palmer 1985).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
