Pseudomonas Aureginosa Research Articles

Antimicrobial activity of medicated soaps commonly used by Dar es Salaam residents in Tanzania

An in vitro evaluation of the anti-microbial activity of medicated soaps was conducted using ditch-plate and hand washing techniques. Strains of reference microbes namely Candida albicans (ATCC90028), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923), Pseudomonas aureginosa (ATCC27853) and Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) were tested at three different soaps’ concentrations (1.0, 4.0 and 8.0 mg/ml). A total of 16 medicated soaps were assayed for their antimicrobial efficacy. Of these, 13 were medicated and 3 non-medicated soaps, which served as control. Ciprofloxacin and ketaconazole were employed as positive controls. Label disclosure for the soaps’ ingredients and other relevant information were absorbed. The most common antimicrobial active ingredients were triclosan, trichloroxylenol and trichlorocarbanilide. ANOVA for means of zones of inhibition revealed variability of antimicrobial activity among the medicated soaps. Positive correlation (r=0.318; P<0.01) between zones of inhibition and soaps’ concentrations was evidenced. Hand washing frequencies positively correlated with microbial counts. Roberts® soap exhibited the largest zone of inhibition (34 mm) on S. aureus. Candida albicans was the least susceptible microbe. Regency® and Dalan® exhibited the least zone of inhibition on the tested bacteria. Protex®, Roberts®, Family® and Protector® were equally effective (P<0.01) against S. aureus. In conclusion, majority of the assayed medicated soaps have satisfactory antibacterial activity; though lack antifungal effect with exception of Linda® liquid soap. The hand washing technique has proved to be inappropriate for evaluation of soaps’ antimicrobial efficacy due to presence of the skin microflora.

Report of One Interesting Case - unilateral Kidney Agenesis Associated with Ipsilateral Kidney Malrotation, Anal Atresia and Pulmonary Artery Failure

Renal agenesis is a fairly common congenital anomaly with an unknown definite etiology. Unilateral renal agenesis is much more common than bilateral renal agenesis, but it usually does not carry any major health consequence, as long as the other kidney is healthy. In some cases, renal agenesis may by associated with other congenital anomalies. We report a neonatal female patient born with unilateral renal agenesis associated with malrotation of ipsilateral kidney, anal atresia and pulmonary artery failure. One month old female child was referred to Nuclear Medicine Department for dynamic renal scintigraphy which performed after intravenously injection of 0.5 mCi(99m) TcDTPA. Scintigraphy was carried out on a Dual Head-Siemens gamma camera using a high resolution collimator. During the dynamic scintigraphy patient was positioned in a supine position. Furosemide, as diuretic stimulator was administered intravenously at 18th minute of the study. The female patient, eight months old, with cough, short breath (dispnea), fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea was referred to DTPA renal scintigraphy. Symptoms were manifested ten days before patient had undergone the renal scintigraphy. During this time the patient was under pediatrics' control. A patient has undergone the biochemistry, ultrasound and radiologic examinations. Samples were isolated from the urine culture Pseudomonas aureginosa. The patient received antibiotics (Amikacin) for seven days, whereas last five days she received salbutamole and bisolvon. During physical examination we noticed a left abdominal stoma without palpation sensibility associated with an imperforate anus. From DTPA renal scintigraphy we found the absence of a right kidney, malrotation of a left kidney associated with seriously problems during the elimination of urine. Unilateral renal agenesis usually is without any major health consequences, but in cases where it is associated with other congenital malformations, such as malrotation of existing kidney, anal atresia and cardiopulmonary anomalies can be very serious problem for life. Dynamic renal scintigraphy is very highly sensitive and helpful method for detection of renal congenital malformations and function abnormalities.

Studies on the â-lactamase production of bacterial isolates from smoked bush meats correlated with bacterial resistance to three &amp;#223-lactam antibiotics

Eight bacterial species were isolated from smoked meats and screened for the production of â-lactamase; which was detected by penicillin impregnated starch paper strips. â-lactamase was detected in the following bacterial isolates: Klebsiella pneumoniae (75.0%), Escherichia coli (69.7%), Proteus sp. (33.3%), Pseudomonas aureginosa (25.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (80.0%) and Streptococcus feacalis (12.5%). There was no â-lactamase detected in Lactobacillus casei and Salmonella sp. isolated from the meats. The prevalence of â-lactamase detected in the samples shows that the bacteria posses the potential to produce â-lactamase irrespective of the source of isolation. The sensitivity of the â-lactam antibiotics (penicillin G, ampicillin and cloxacillin) used range from 8.3-100.0%. Although, penicillin G has the lowest sensitivity of 8.3% to Klebsiella pneumoniae while, ampicillin and cloxacillin were 25.0% and 16.7% sensitive to the same bacteria respectively. Salmonella species is the most susceptible (range from 70.0-100.0%) to the tested antibiotics among the â-lactamase positive bacteria screened. The frequency of occurrence of the pathogenic bacteria and the feacal indicator organism (E.coli) indicated gross contamination of some of the meat samples analyzed; this indicates that the meats may have been contaminated either during processing with faecal contaminated water or handling by the sellers. In conclusion, the habit of eating uncooked smoked meat should be discouraged and emphasis should be laid on properly cooked meat before consumption

Environmental bacteria associated with an institutional rabbit house

A bacteriological investigation of microorganisms of public health importance associated with rabbit houses was undertaken to determine the occurrence of bacteria in rabbit house in Ibadan. A total of 144 swab samples were collected from which 160 bacterial isolates were recovered. E. coli, (20%) showed the highest occurrence, followed in descending order by Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%), Proteus vulgaris (12.5%), Bacillus cereus (12.5%), Bacillus subtilis (10%), Streptococcus faecalis (10%), Bacillus firmus (7.5%), Proteus morganii (5%), Pseudomonas aureginosa (I2.5%), Streptococcus pyogenes (2.5%), Micrococcus species (2.5%) and Klebsiella species (2.5%). All the 20 (12.5%) staphylococcal isolates were coagulase-positive using tube coagulase test with human plasma. Similar strains of bacteria encountered in this investigation have been incriminated in disease outbreaks in rabbits with losses in terms of meat meant for human consumption and are therefore of public health importance. There is the need for regular microbiological surveillance to protect our growing rabbitaries and the rabbit models in biomedical research since these latent organisms may produce clinical conditions when the rabbits are exposed to stress conditions. Above all the importance of good hygiene and management in rabbitaries cannot be overemphasized to prevent avoidable outbreaks. (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 11: 209 - 213)

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of some new 1-(fluorobenzoyl)-3-(fluorophenyl)thioureas

Synthesis of a variety of new 1-(isomeric fluorobenzoyl)-3-(isomeric fluorophenyl)thioureas ( 1a– t) was accomplished in two steps. The synthetic route involves the reaction of equimolar quantities of isomeric fluorobenzoyl chlorides with potassium thiocyanate in anhydrous acetone to afford the corresponding isothiocyantes in situ, followed by treatment with equimolar quantities of isomeric fluoroanilines. All of the synthesized compounds ( 1a– t) were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity using Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined for the most active compounds. In vitro antifungal activity was also determined against the five fungal species ( Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus tereus, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus). In general, the antifungal activity of compounds was better than their antibacterial activity.

Evaluation of vitreous levels of gatifloxacin after systemic administration in inflamed and non‐inflamed eyes

This study aimed to evaluate the human vitreous penetration of gatifloxacin in inflamed and non-inflamed eyes after oral administration. Vitreous penetration of single-dose (400 mg) oral gatifloxacin was evaluated in patients (n = 33) undergoing vitreous tap during the standard procedure for intravitreal antibiotic injection for acute postoperative endophthalmitis at various time-points. Vitreous penetration of 400 mg oral gatifloxacin was evaluated in the non-inflamed eyes of patients (n = 33) undergoing pars plana vitrectomy at similar time-points. The study was extended to evaluate the vitreous penetration of single-dose oral (800 mg) gatifloxacin at a single time-point in inflamed (n = 10) and non-inflamed (n = 11) eyes. After 400 mg oral gatifloxacin, inflamed eyes showed mean vitreous concentrations of 0.58+/-0.19 microg/ml, 1.33+/-0.33 microg/ml and 1.30 +/- 0.23 microg/ml at 2, 4 and 6 hours, respectively. The levels reached at 2 and 4 hours were found to be significantly increased compared with those in non-inflamed eyes. At the 800-mg dose, 4-hour vitreous levels in inflamed and non-inflamed eyes were 1.57 +/- 0.3 microg/ml and 1.42 +/- 0.24 microg/ml, respectively. Although the increased dose of gatifloxacin elevated plasma concentration, it failed to raise vitreous levels significantly higher than the 400-mg dose at the 4-hour time-point. Orally administered gatifloxacin achieves therapeutic levels in both inflamed and non-inflamed human eyes with a spectrum covering the bacterial species most frequently involved in the various causes of endophthalmitis. However, the levels achieved were below the MIC(90) for Pseudomonas aureginosa and Enterococcus.

Bio-Treatment of Crude Oil Polluted Water Using Mixed Microbial Populations of P. Aureginosa, Penicillium Notatum, E. Coli and Aspergillus Niger

Bioremediation as a strategy of clean- up of crude oil spills in water using a mixed microbial population of E. Coli, Aspergillus niger, Penicillum notatum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated in this study. The sample of crude oil polluted water containing the mixed microbes and the control was monitored for parameters such as BOD, pH, Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) and Turbidity over a period of nine weeks. At the end of the bioremediation period, the results obtained showed that the sample remediated with the mixed microbes gave a THC drop from 14975mg/l -1.960mg/l (99.9% drop) compared to the control with a drop from 14975 – 18.72mg/l (99.8% drop). A BOD drop from 1447.4mg/l – 17.1mg/l (98.8% drop) for the sample mixed microbes and 1447.4 – 90.8mg/l (93.7% drop) for the control. Turbidity values increased from 5.0 NTU – 25.2NTU for sample with mixed microbes and 5.0 NTU – 23.1 NTU for the control. The values of THC (1.96 mg/l) and BOD (17.1 mg/l) at the end of the experimentation period fell within the FEPA and DPR limits of 10mg/l and 30mg/l for THC and BOD respectively.The results above thus indicates that the use of mixed microbial population of Pseudomonas aureginosa, Penicillium notatum, E. Coli and

Preliminary Investigations On The Physio-Chemical And Microbiological Analysis Of Water From Streams Used For Drinking In Owo Local Government Area Of Ondo State.

Physical, chemical and microbiological analyses were used to determine the wholesomeness status of seven stream waters used for drinking in Owo. The study revealed that the water were wholesome from chemical analysis point of view while three out of the streams met the WHO recommendation for taste, odour, appearance turbidity and total dissolved solids. Microbiological analysis showed that all the samples had viable count of bacteria above 100cfu/ml, all positive for coliform, E. coli and bacterial strains such as Pseudomonas aureginosa, Proteus vulgaris,Salmonella ssp,Shigella ssp Streptococeus faecalis, klebsiella pneumonia were isolated in the water samples.

Microbiological and Nutritional Quality of Hawked Kunun (A Sorghum Based Non-Alcoholic Beverage) Widely Consumed in Nigeria

The microbiological and nutritional quality of freshly processed and hawked kunun drinks in South Western Nigeria was investigated at Ibadan, Nigeria. The microbes found associated with both the hawked and the laboratory prepared kunun samples are Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus sutilis, B. cereus , Streptococus feaceaum, S. lactis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus acidiophilis, Escherishai coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Saccharomysces cerevisiae, Candida mycoderma, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium oxalicum and Fusarium oxysporum. However, the freshly processed kunun drinks harbored no colifor m bacteria. The crude protein content of the hawked kunun drinks was found higher than that of the laboratory processed kunun samples, while the P of the Kunun zaki drinks were highest in the laboratory processed H samples. However, there were no significant differences between the carbohydrates contents of th e laboratory processed kunun drinks sample and that of the hawked kunun drinks

Bioremediation of naphthalene in water by Sphingomonas paucimobilis using new biodegradable surfactants based on poly (ɛ-caprolactone)

New amphiphilic block surfactants ABA based on a central segment of polycaprolactone with different molecular composition were evaluated in the bioremediation of naphthalene in water by Sphingomonas paucimobilis and compared with sodium dodecyl sulphate as reference surfactant (SDS). Also the biodegradation of the new surfactants by bacteria, S. paucimobilis and a mixture of bacteria ( Pseudomonas aureginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus megaterium) was studied by indirect impedance technique and carbon dioxide determination. All the bacteria biodegraded in solution and micellar phase the central segment of PCL with mineralization rates in the range of 0.024–0.036 mg of CO 2 per day. S. paucimobilis biodegraded naphthalene in the presence of the new surfactants and GC analysis demonstrated that conversion to products started immediately after inoculum. In all the experiments, except for SDS, at 140 h of incubation time, the remaining naphthalene concentration was about 10% of the initial concentration. In contrast, the production of CO 2 was delayed 4–7 days and values around 75% of naphthalene mineralization degree were achieved in three weeks. The addition of PCL-surfactants, in solution and in micellar phase, not interfered in the naphthalene mineralization. These results have shown promising potential of these biodegradable PCL-surfactants in surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER) technology for removing residual organics from contaminated groundwater and soils.

Bacterial Resistance in Argolis, Greece

Objectives: To study the antibiotic resistance in the microorganisms isolated from blood cultures at the General Hospital of Argos, Greece during the period 01/01/05 to 31/10/2007. Methods: 791 blood cultures were studies. The identification and the antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using the analysis Bact/ALERT and the automat system VITEK 2 compact (BIOMERIEUX). Results: From the 791 blood cultures 661(83,56%) were negative and 130(16,43%) were positive. CONS-coagulase negative staphylococci were the most common isolated bacteria [50 samples (38,46%)], followed by E. coli [25 samples (19,23%)], Brucella melitensis [21 samples (16,15%)], Staphylococcus aureus [12 samples(9,23%)], Pseudomonas auroginosa [7 samples (5,38%)], Klebsiella pneumoniae [3 samples (2,3%)], Enterobacter cloacae [3 samples (2,3%)], Enterococcus faecalis [2 samples (1,53%)]. The resistance of E. coli to Ampicillin, Amoxicylin/clavulanic, ciprofloxacin and 3rd generation cephalosporins were 36%, 12%, 8% and 0% respectively. CONS and Staphylococcus aureus presented 48% and 16,66% resistance to Oxacillin respectively and 0% resistance to Vancomycin. Pseudomonas aureginosa presented 28,57% resistance to ceftazidime, aminoglycosides and imipenem and 42,85% resistance to ciprofloxacin and piperacillin. For Klebsiella pneumoniae the resistance rate was 0% to imipenem, 33,33% to aminoglycosides, 66,66% to ciprofloxacin and 3rd generarion cephalosporins. The enterococcus faecalis strains presented 0% resistance to vancomycin and linezolid. Conclusions: Comparing these results to those of EARSS (European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System), 2006, was observed that the antibiotic resistance prevalence of E. coli was lower in this region than that of the rest of Greece and European countries (fluoroquinolones 8% in Argolis, 14,5% in Greece, 29,2% in Germany, 28% in Spain, 13,8% in France, for cephalosporins in Argolis 0%, in Greece 6,1%, UK 7,7%, Italy 7,4%). The resistance to vancomycin of Staphylococcus aureus 0% is similar to that seen in European countries. Pseudomonas auroginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae presented significant resistance rate to other countries. Greece has the higher resistance rate to imipenem, 47,6% for pseudomonas and 32,9% for Klebsiella and also to Ceftazidime for Pseudomonas 34,1% but in Argolis it was 28,57% resistance to imipenem for Pseudomonas, 0% for Klebsiella and 28,57% resistance of Pseudomonas to ceftazidim.

Studies on the efficiency of different extraction procedures on the anti microbial activity of selected medicinal plants

Many doubts still persist even today when it comes to selection of the solvents for extracting the active constituents from various Indian medicinal plants. This study was aimed at assessing and establishing the best solvent for extracting the active constituents from 10 plant extracts. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to separate and establish the active constituents present in each of the medicinal plants. Active constituents from each plant were extracted by using three different solvent systems namely diethyl ether, chloroform and hexane and were tested against three species of gram negative and three species of gram positive bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Aeromonas hydrophila, Staphylococcus aereus, Bacillus cereus) by means of agar well diffusion assay. Studies on the antioxidant activity studies were also carried out for these plant extracts by using Diphenylpicryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. For the antimicrobial activity, the study revealed that among the selected plants, Azadiracta indica, Pongamia pinnata, Aloe barbadensis had the maximum antibacterial activity. Among the extraction procedures diethyl ether was found to be the best solvent that could be used for the extraction procedure. On the antioxidant activity part, Coleus amboinicus and Calotropis procera were found to have high antioxidant activity of 91.64% and 88.72% respectively and the further results are reported and discussed.

Infectious discitis in adults: 9 years experience from Al‐Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq

AbstractAim: The objective of this study was to analyse the presentation, aetiology, diagnosis, management, and outcome of infectious discitis.Methods: A screening prospective case‐finding study was carried out at Al‐Yarmouk teaching hospital in Baghdad, Iraq from 1997 to 2006. Fifty adult patients (12 men and 38 women) were diagnosed with infectious discitis from different referral sources. The diagnosis was based on laboratory biochemical tests, isolation of micro‐organisms from blood and needle aspiration tissue, and radiological investigations including magnetic resonance images (MRI).Results: Of the 50 cases, 32 (64%) patients presenting within 4 weeks, 94% had pelvic and abdominal surgical interventions, 70% presented with severe neck pain and 36% had neurological deficits. Marked elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high serum C‐reactive protein levels were observed in all patients. Positive blood, percutaneous disc aspiration and surgical exploration samples for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, E. coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa and Candida albicans were found. Radiological images showed that disc involvement did not exceed more than one intervertebrate disc with two adjacent vertebrae. The clinical outcome was full recovery (86%), residual neurological deficits (10%) and death (4%).Conclusions: Infectious discitis in adults should be suspected in every case presenting with severe neck or back pain, followed by pelvic or abdominal surgical interventions. Therefore, MRI techniques should be performed on every case and an early empirical antibiotic therapy is advised.

The X‐ray crystal structure of PA1607 from Pseudomonas aureginosa at 1.9 Å resolution—a putative transcription factor

The structure of the PA1607 protein from Pseudomonas aureginosa was determined at 1.85 A resolution using the Se-Met multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) technique. PA1607 forms a dimer and adopts a winged-helix motif similar to the MarR family of transcription regulators, though it has an unusual dimerization profile. The DNA-binding regions and a putative metal-binding site are not conserved in PA1607.

Screening of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase from Pseudomonas strains as biosensor for lead and some other metals contamination

delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD; E.C. 4.2.1.24) is a metalloprotein and plays a crucial role in heme synthesis. Its sensitivity to toxic metals depends on the metallic co-factors. In this study the effects of some heavy metals on ALADs activity of five Pseudomonas isolates from Akarçay stream (Afyonkarahisar) have been studied in order to determine whether their ALADs could be used as biosensor for lead and other heavy metals contamination. The data obtained from the study were analysed statistically by using SPSS 10.0 software for Windows. According to the results, Ni(II) increased the ALAD activity of Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Pseudomonas aureginosa ATTC 27853. Mn(II) also increased the enzymic activity in all strains examined except P. pseudoalcaligenes. These were found not to be statistically meaningful. P. aeruginosa 2's enzymic activity was inhibited by Mg(II) and Zn(II), significantly (p < 0.05). There was a statistically meaningful relation between enzymic activity of both P. pseudoalcaligenes, P. putida and increasing Pb(II) concentration (p < 0.05). In addition, a formula was also deviced in order to determine the doses of metals in the environment of the organisms. As a result of the study, we can suggest that Pseudomonas ALADs can be used as a biosensor for lead and some other heavy metal exposure in aquatic environments.

The X‐ray crystal structure of PA3566 from Pseudomonas aureginosa at 1.8 Å resolution

The X‐ray crystal structure of PA3566 from <i>Pseudomonas aureginosa</i> at 1.8 Å resolution

STUDY OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM URINARY TRA INFECTION AND THEIR SENSITIVITY PATTERN

A retrospective study was conducted among out-patient and in-patient in Kathmandu medical collegeTeaching hospital of one month from the duration 2060-11-15 to 2060-12 -15. Mid-stream urine [MSU] of300 patient were cultured. Out of these, 75 patients’ urine were found to have significant bacterial growth.Total of five species of bacterial species isolated were viz.E.coli 37(33.3%), Proteus species 25(27.7%),Klebsiella species 15(16.6%), Staphylococcus aureus 8(8.8%) and Pseudomonas aureginosa 1(1.1%).Regarding their antibiotic sensitivity pattern, E. coli were sensitive to Nitrofurantoin 31 (83.8% ), Norfloxacin25 (67.5%), Ofloxacin 30(81.0%), Amoxycillin 16(43.2%), Nalidixic acid 15 (40.5%).proteus species weresensitive to Nitrofurantoin 15 (60.0%), Norfloxacin 15 (60.0%), Ofloxacin 12(48.0%), Amoxycillin 13(52.0%),Nalidixic acid 10 (40.0%), Ciprofloxacillin 12(48.0%). Klebsiella species were sensitive to Nitrofurantoin 9(60.0%), Norfloxacin 5 (33.3%), Oflaxin 6(40.0%), Amoxycillin 5(33.3%), Nalidixic acid 4 (26.6%),ciprofloxacillin 6(40.0%).Staphylloccus aureus were sensitive to Nitrofurantoin 8(100.0%), Norfloxacin 6(75.0%), Oflaxin 8(100.0%),Amoxycillin 7(87.5%), Nalidixic acid 6(75.0%), Ciprofloxacillin 8(100 %). And Pseudomonas aureginosawere resistant to all antibiotics which we are using in this research work.Key Words: Urine sample, Identification, Sensitivity pattern.

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL TERPENES FROM Pilgerodendron uviferum (D. DON) FLORIN

Ten sesquiterpenes (a-cubebene, copaene, a-caryophyllene, caryophyllene-4,5-epoxide, d-cadinene, cubenol, epicubenol, torreyol, humulene-1,2-epoxide, 15-copaenol) and six diterpenes (hinokione, hinokiol, ferruginol, 6,7-dehydroferruginol, totarol, sugiol) were isolated and identified from Pilgerodendron uviferum (D. Don) Florin wood and bark. The molecular structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Twelve pure compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against standard bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes) and fungal strains (Ophiostoma piliferum, Rhizoctonia solani, Phragmidium violaceum, Fusarium graminearum, Pythium irregulare, Botrytis cinerea, Schizophyllum commune), as were crude total extracts, n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate partial extracts. All the compounds tested exhibited biological activity, with the most active being ferruginol, hinokiol, 15-copaenol, cubenol, torreyol, and n-hexane wood extracts and ethyl acetate bark extract

Eggshell matrix proteins as defense mechanism of avian eggs.

This study focused on the role of eggshell matrix proteins as a function of potential natural antimicrobial defenses of avian eggs. The electrophoretic profile of SDS-PAGE showed that the soluble eggshell matrix proteins had three major bands of 15 000, 36 000, and 66 000 and several minor bands comprising 17 000, 25 000, 30 000, and 75 000, while insoluble matrix proteins were consisting of various bands comprising at least 16 distinct migration bands between 10 000 and 200 000. Three bacteria species, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus, were found to be inhibited in the presence of soluble eggshell matrix proteins (100 microg/mL). On the other hand, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis were weakly inhibited at only an early stage of incubation time (up to 4 h). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that eggshell matrix proteins might interact and disrupt the membrane integrity of bacteria. The present study clearly indicated that avian eggshell matrix proteins possess a potential of novel antimicrobial defensin mechanism.

ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF CALYX, STEM BARK AND ROOT OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA

Water extract of the red, white calyces, stem bark and root of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) were tested for their antibacterial activities. The root of the plant exhibited marked antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative organisms of Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aureginosa, Staphylococus sp., Streptococus faecalis and Corynebacterium spp while the red calyx is effective against gram negative organism of Klebssiella, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aureginosa. These actions are comparable to that exhibited by gentamicin. Key Words: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Malvaceae, root stem bark, red and white calyx, antibacterial activity. Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.5 2001: 54-55