Chemical Profiling and Antimicrobial Properties of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Venom

The incidence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria has become an alarming clinical and social problem. Therefore, the demand for alternative antimicrobial compounds has increased. In this study, a chemical profile of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom (HBV) has been determined by HPLC and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, and tested for antibacterial activity, as well as efficiency with regard to conventional antibiotics. The investigated HBV was of high quality with melittin and total protein contents of 70.10 ± 7.01%, and 84.44 ± 3.12 g/100 g, respectively. The purity of HBV was confirmed by FTIR-ATR spectral profiling, which revealed a unique pattern of absorption bands that are characteristic of its major fractions. In addition, HBV showed a broad spectrum of activity against all three tested biomasses of potentially pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with MIC values ranging between 12.5 and 200 µg/mL, and MBC between 12.5 and 400 µg/mL. When compared to conventional antibiotics, HBV (400 µg) showed up to 27.8% efficiency of tetracycline (30 µg), 52.2% erythromycin (15 µg), 21.2% ciprofloxacin (5 µg), and 34.6% of ampicillin-sulbactam (20 µg). The overall results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the analyzed HBV.

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Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of binaphthyl derived quaternary ammonium bromides

Acta Facultatis Pharmaceuticae Universitatis Comenianae ◽

10.2478/v10219-012-0017-5 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 39-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R. Mikláš ◽

N. Miklášová ◽

M. Bukovský ◽

F. Devínsky

Keyword(s):

Quaternary Ammonium ◽

Fungal Pathogen ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Ammonium Bromide ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Minimal Inhibition Concentration ◽

E Coli ◽

Human Fungal Pathogen ◽

Inhibition Concentration

Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of binaphthyl derived quaternary ammonium bromides(S)-N-(2-(4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1',2'-e]azepin-1-yl)ethyl)-N, N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl ammonium bromide (S)-1a and (S)-N-(2-(4,5-dihydro-3H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1',2'-e]azepin-1-yl)ethyl)-N, N-dimethyl-N-tetradecylammonium bromide (S)-1b have been synthesized as optically active quaternary ammonium salts starting from 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diol. Their antimicrobial activity expressed as minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) was tested against Gram-positive human pathogenic bacteria S. Aureus, Gram-negative bacteria E. coli and human fungal pathogen C. Albicans.

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Application of Principal Component Analysis for evaluation of chemical and antimicrobial properties of honey bee (Apis mellifera) venom

Journal of Apicultural Research ◽

10.3896/ibra.1.48.3.04 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 168-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Zenon J. Kokot ◽

Jan Matysiak ◽

Jolanta Kłs ◽

Bogdan Kędzia ◽

Elżbieta Hołderna-Kędzia

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis

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Dimerization of cell-penetrating buforin II enhances antimicrobial properties

Journal of Analytical Science & Technology ◽

10.1186/s40543-021-00264-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hyunhee Lee ◽

Sungtae Yang

Keyword(s):

Cytotoxic Activity ◽

Lipid Bilayers ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Substantial Impact ◽

Bacterial Membranes ◽

Intracellular Targeting ◽

Cell Penetrating ◽

Magainin Ii ◽

Conventional Antibiotics

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that selectively permeabilize bacterial membranes are promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Dimerization of AMP is considered an attractive strategy to enhance antimicrobial and membrane-lytic activity, but it also increases undesired hemolytic and cytotoxic activity. Here, we prepared Lys-linked homodimers of membrane-permeabilizing magainin II and cell-penetrating buforin II. Dimerization did not significantly alter conformational behavior, but it had a substantial impact on antimicrobial properties. We found that while the magainin II dimer showed increased antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects, the buforin II dimer conferred much greater antibacterial potency without exhibiting cytotoxic activity. Interestingly, the buforin II dimer was highly effective against several antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates. Membrane permeabilization experiments indicated that the magainin II dimer rapidly disrupted both anionic and zwitterionic membranes, whereas the buforin II dimer selectively disrupted anionic membranes. Like the monomeric form, the buforin II dimer was efficiently translocated across lipid bilayers. Therefore, our results suggest that the dimerization of cell-penetrating buforin II not only disrupts the bacterial membrane, but also translocates it across the membrane to target intracellular components, resulting in effective antimicrobial activity. We propose that dimerization of intracellular targeting AMPs may present a superior strategy for therapeutic control of pathogenic bacteria.

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Nanocomposites with ornidazole—antibacterial and antiadhesive agents against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

Applied Nanoscience ◽

10.1007/s13204-020-01260-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 3193-3203

Author(s):

I. Furtat ◽

M. Lupatsii ◽

T. Murlanova ◽

P. Vakuliuk ◽

A. Gaidai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Adhesion ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Bactericidal Effect ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Antimicrobial Spectrum ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Index Index ◽

Adhesion Index

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance of many microbial species can cause to thousands of deaths worldwide, in this regard new therapeutic strategies have to be invented. To address the question, we have prepared nanocomposites on the basis of pyrogenic silicon dioxide with ornidazole immobilized on the surface (ornidasil) and studied their antimicrobial properties and the therapeutic potential. It has also been shown, that in comparison with pure ornidazole the addition of ornidazole to nanocomposite composition can enhance the antimicrobial spectrum, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The most significant bactericidal effect has been reached after more than 24-h treatment with the nanocomposite. Antiadhesive properties of nanocomposite materials were studied using blood types OO+, AO+, BO+, AB+, the degree of bacterial adhesion was estimated using three indexes: average adhesion index, index of erythrocytes involvement, index of microbial adhesion. The effectiveness of the treatment with the nanocomposites obtained was studied on complicated wounds of various etiologies, in particular the wounds caused by diabetic foot syndrome.

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RNA Interference-Mediated Knockdown of Genes Encoding Spore Wall Proteins Confers Protection against Nosema ceranae Infection in the European Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9030505 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 505

Author(s):

Nan He ◽

Yi Zhang ◽

Xin Le Duan ◽

Jiang Hong Li ◽

Wei-Fone Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Rna Interference ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Spore Wall ◽

Nosema Ceranae ◽

Host Responses ◽

Colony Losses ◽

Nosema Disease

Nosema ceranae (Opisthosporidia: Microsporidia) is an emergent intracellular parasite of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and causes serious Nosema disease which has been associated with worldwide honey bee colony losses. The only registered treatment for Nosema disease is fumagillin-b, and this has raised concerns about resistance and off-target effects. Fumagillin-B is banned from use in honey bee colonies in many countries, particularly in Europe. As a result, there is an urgent need for new and effective therapeutic options to treat Nosema disease in honey bees. An RNA interference (RNAi)-based approach can be a potent strategy for controlling diseases in honey bees. We explored the therapeutic potential of silencing the sequences of two N. ceranae encoded spore wall protein (SWP) genes by means of the RNAi-based methodology. Our study revealed that the oral ingestion of dsRNAs corresponding to SWP8 and SWP12 used separately or in combination could lead to a significant reduction in spore load, improve immunity, and extend the lifespan of N. ceranae-infected bees. The results from the work completed here enhance our understanding of honey bee host responses to microsporidia infection and highlight that RNAi-based therapeutics are a promising treatment for honey bee diseases.

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Antimicrobial activity of berries extracts of four Ribes species, their phenolic content and anthocyanin composition

Folia Horticulturae ◽

10.2478/fhort-2018-0021 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 249-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vidmantas Bendokas ◽

Antanas Šarkinas ◽

Daiva Jasinauskienë ◽

Nijolë Anisimovienë ◽

Šarûnë Morkûnaitë-Haimi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Phenolic Content ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Anthocyanin Content ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Processing Plants ◽

Berry Extracts ◽

Anthocyanin Composition

Abstract Phenolic compounds are widespread in berries and determine their antimicrobial activity. The aim of our study was to establish the amounts of phenolic compounds and the anthocyanin composition in berries of four Ribes species, and to evaluate the effect of berry extracts on the growth of common Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and also yeasts isolated from food processing plants. The phenolic content and anthocyanin composition were estimated spectrometrically and by HPLC, respectively. The highest amount of phenolic compounds, and also anthocyanins, was found in extracts of R. aureum ‘Corona’. The anthocyanin content was the lowest in berries of R. aureum Au Gs-5, with equal amounts of delphinidins and cyanidins. Delphinidins were predominant (68.6%) in berries of R. nigrum ‘Ben Tirran’, while cyanidins dominated in R. uva-crispa. The berry extracts of R. aureum Au Gs-5 and R. uva-crispa ‘Lûðiai’ had the largest growth-suppressing effect on yeasts and most of the bacteria tested. All of the berry extracts suppressed the growth of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic bacteria. The industrially important Lactococcus lactis was the most resistant to the Ribes berry extracts. There was no correlation between the amount of anthocyanins in the extracts and their antimicrobial properties. Extracts with a lower anthocyanin–to-phenolics ratio more effectively inhibited the growth of bacteria.

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Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Whey Protein-Based Films Functionalized with Palestinian Satureja capitata Essential Oil

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings11111364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1364

Author(s):

Manar Abdalrazeq ◽

Nidal Jaradat ◽

Mohammad Qadi ◽

C. Valeria L. Giosafatto ◽

Eliana Dell’Olmo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Whey Proteins ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Elongation At Break ◽

Film Forming

The present study aimed to produce bio-active packaging materials made of whey proteins (WPs) and essential oil (EO) extracted from Thymbra (Satureja capitata, L.), one of the most popular Palestinian wild plants. In this study, two different Thymbra leaves from Nablus and Qabatiya in Palestine were collected and analyzed for EOs by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Based on the analysis, two EOs, namely, TEO1 and TEO2, were extracted, and it was found that both samples primarily contain γ-terpinene and carvacrol, whereas p-cymene was detected only in TEO1. The antimicrobial activity of TEO1 and TEO2 was evaluated by microbroth microdilution assays against pathogenic bacteria and yeast. Based on the results, TEO1 exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against the test strains. Besides, TEO1 was chosen to functionalize WP-based films at different concentrations (0.1%, 0.4%, and 0.8% v/v of Film Forming Solutions). Film mechanical property investigation showed a marked reduction in the tensile strength and Young’s modulus at 0.8% TEO1. In contrast, its elongation at break value was significantly (p < 0.05) increased due to the plasticizing effect of the EO. Moreover, the film transparency was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by increasing TEO1 concentrations. Finally, microbiological investigations indicated that film antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria increased dose-dependently. The overall results open interesting perspectives for employing these films as preservative materials in food packaging.

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