Study of the Effectiveness of Papaver Sp. Alkaloids as Future Therapeutic Alternatives against Enterococcus Sp. Causing Hospital-Acquired Septicemic Infections

Background and Objective: In recent years, control of Enterococcus sp. It has been proven in the local medical environment to be a cause of acquired septicemia in various age groups, and medical instruments are considered an effective means of transmitting enterococcal septicemia, and catheters are at the forefront in terms of danger. Based on this risk, this study aimed to monitor the spread of Enterococcus sp., which causes blood poisoning acquired from catheters, and to compare its response to antibiotics with that of those isolated from clinical samples in children, as a first study locally. The effectiveness of alkaloids of different types of Papaver sp. In Syrian plants, they were tested against infection with this bacteria. Materials and Methods: The study dealt with two parts: The first part included collecting clinical samples from the University Children’s Hospital in Damascus/bacterial diagnostic laboratories/then isolating and diagnosing the bacteria by following a set of tests to identify the most prevalent genera and species and comparing their prevalence rate with Enterococcus. The second part;It included collecting plant samples, confirming the species taxonomically, then extracting alkaloids from plant parts (fruit, stem, Flowers), then comparing the extent of resistance of bacterial strains to antibiotics compared to the Enterococcus sp., and then confirming the antibacterial activity of the Papaver sp. alkaloids against Enterococcus sp. Result:In its first part, the study confirmed the significant contribution of the Enterococcus sp. to infections acquired from various sources, largely in catheter tip infections (9.09%) and to a lesser extent in other sources (3.7%), The second part was to confirm the effective-ness of the alkaloid extract of the Papaver sp., especially the two species Papaver syriacum, and Papaver dubium, against Enterococcus sp. with areole diameters that ranged between (15 - 26 mm) for the fruit extract and at a minimum inhibitory concentration (3.12 - 6.25 mml) and then the stem (5 - 20 mm). And the effectiveness of the Flowers extract is very weak to almost non-existent. Conclusions: The catheter and medical sources surrounding the patient constitute a dangerous source of multi-resistant Enterococcus sp., which poses a real threat to the lives of children, with new mechanisms represented by colonization of the skin and the ability to form biofilms Surfaces of medical instruments, with are resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. As an alternative and effective modern source to limit its spread in the future, the alkaloid extract of the fruits and stems of the wild Papaver sp. has proven a strong antibiotic effect, especially the two types: Papaver syriacum and Papaver dubium.

Antimicrobial activities of the rhizome extract of Zingiber zerumbet Linn

Objective:To investigate antimicrobial effects of ethanolic extract of Zingiber zerumbet(Z.zerumbet)(L.)Smith and its chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.Methods:The fresh rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet were extracted in cold with ethanol(4.0 L)after concentration.The crude ethanol extract was fractionated by petroleum ether and chloroform to form a suspension of ethanol extract(15.0 g),petroleum ether fraction(6.6 g)and chloroform soluble fraction(5.0 g).The crude ethanol extract and its petroleum ether and chloroform fractions were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity against thirteen pathogenic bacteria and three fungi by the disc diffusion method.Commercially available kanamycin(30μg/disc)was used as standard disc and blank discs impregnated with the respective solvents were used as negative control.Results:At a concentration of 400μg/disc,all the samples showed mild to moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity and produced the zone of inhibition ranging from 6 mm to 10 mm.Among the tested samples,the crude ethanol extract showed the highest activity against Vibrio parahemolyticus(V.parahemolyticus).The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of the crude ethanol extract and its fractions were within the value of 128-256μg/mL against two Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria and all the samples showed the lowest MIC value against V.parahemolyticus(128μg/mL).Conclusions:It can be concluded that,potent antibacterial and antifungal phytochemicals are present in ethanol extract of Z.zerumbet(L.).

Anti-microbial principles of selected remedial plants from Southern India

Objective:To examine the anti-bacterial activity of leaf extracts of Morus alba L.(Moraceae)and Piper betel L.(Piperaceae),and seed extracts of Bombax ceiba L.(Borabacaceae).Methods:We have partially purified plant extracts by solvent extraction method,and evaluated the effect of individual fractions on bacterial growth using Escherichia coli(E.coli),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus) bacterial strains.Results:Compared with Morus and Bombax fractions,Piper fractions showed significant growth inhibition on all the three types of bacteria studied.The EtOAc-hexane fractions of Piper leaves exhibited significant antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC) of 50 μg/mL culture against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.The EtOAc-fractions Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅳ inhibited bacterial colony formation on soft agar in addition to growth inhibition.A combination treatment of piper fractions with ampicillin resulted in significant growth inhibition in E.coli and P.aeruginosa,and combination with anticancer drug geldanamycin(2 μg/mL) showed selective growth inhibition against P.aeruginosa and S.aureus.Three major compounds,i.e.,eugenol,3-hexene-ol and stigmasterol,were primarily identified from Piper betel leaf extractions.Among the individual compounds,eugenol treatment showed improved growth inhibition compared with stigmasterol and 3-hexene-ol.Conclusions:We are reporting potential anti-bacterial compounds from Piper betel against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria either alone or in combination with drug treatment.

Aspirin increases susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to metronidazole by augmenting endocellular concentrations of antimicrobials

AIM： To investigate the increasing the susceptibility pylon） to metronidazole. mechanisms of aspirin of Helicobacter pylori （H METHODS： Hpylori reference strain 26695 and two metronidazole-resistant isolates of H pylori were included in this study. Strains were incubated in Brucella broth with or without aspirin （1 mmol/L）. The rdxA gene of Hpylori was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The permeability of Hpylori to antimicrobials was determined by analyzing the endocellular radioactivity of the cells after incubated with [7-^3H]-tetracycline. The outer membrane proteins （OMPs） of Hpylori 26695 were depurated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The expression of 5 porins （hopA, hopB, hopC, hopD and hopE） and the putative RND efflux system （hefABC） of H pylori were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS： The mutations in rdxA gene did not change in metronidazole resistant isolates treated with aspirin. The radioactivity of H pylori increased when treated with aspirin, indicating that aspirin improved the permeability of the outer membrane of H pylori. However, the expression of two OMP bands between 55 kDa and 72 kDa altered in the presence of aspirin.The expression of the mRNA of hopA, hopB, hopC, hopD, hopE and herA, hefB, hefC of H pylori did not change when treated with aspirin. CONCLUSION： Although aspirin increases the susceptibility of H pylori to metronidazole, it has no effect on the mutations of rdxA gene of Hpylori. Aspirin increases endocellular concentrations of antimicrobials probably by altering the OMP expression.

Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections:Importance of high vancomycin minumum inhibitory concentrations

Staphylococcus aureus(SA) infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality despite the availability of numerous effective anti-staphylococcal antibiotics.This organism is responsible for both nosocomial and community-acquired infections ranging from relatively minor skin and soft tissue infections to life-threateningsystemic infections.The increasing incidence of methicillin-resistant strains has granted an increasing use of vancomycin causing a covert progressive increase of its minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)(dubbed the MIC "creep").In this way,the emergence of vancomycinintermediate SA(VISA) strains and heteroresistantVISA has raised concern for the scarcity of alternative treatment options.Equally alarming,though fortunately less frequent,is the emergence of vancomycin-resistant SA.These strains show different mechanisms of resistance but have similar problems in terms of therapeutic approach.Ultimately,various debate issues have arisen regarding the emergence of SA strains with a minimum inhibitory concentration sitting on the superior limit of the sensitivity range(i.e.,MIC = 2 μg/mL).These strains have shown certain resilience to vancomycin and a different clinical behaviour regardless of vancomycin use,both in methicillin-resistant SA and in methicillin-sensitive SA.The aim of this text is to revise the clinical impact and consequences of the emergence of reduced vancomycin susceptibility SA strains,and the different optimal treatment options known.

Anti-enteric bacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of the seed kernel extract of Mangifera indica Linnaeus against Shigella dysenteriae(Shiga,corrig.) Castellani and Chalmers

Objective:To evaluate the phytochemical and anti-bacterial efficacy of the seed kernel extract of Mangifera indica(M.indica) against the enteropathogen,Shigella dysenteriae(S.dysenteriae), isolated from the diarrhoeal stool specimens.Methods:The preliminary phytochemical screening was performed by the standard methods as described by Harborne.Cold extraction method was employed to extract the bioactive compounds from mango seed kernel.Disc diffusion method was adopted to screen antibacterial activity.Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) was evaluated by agar dilution method.The crude extracts were partially purified by thin layer chromatography(TLC) and the fractions were analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography(HFTLC) to identify the bioactive compounds.Results:Phytochemical scrutiny of M.indica indicated the presence of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids,gums, flavanoids,phenols,saponins,steroids,tannins and xanthoproteins.Antibacterial activity was observed in two crude extracts and various fractions viz.hexane,benzene,chlor of orm,methanol and water.MIC of methanol fraction was found to be(95±11.8)μg/mL.MIC of other fractions ranged from 130-380μg/mL Conclusions:The present study confirmed that each crude extracts and fractions of M.indica have significant antimicrobial activity against the isolated pathogen 5. dyserUeriae.The antibacterial activity may be due to the phytochemical constituents of the mango seed kernel.The phytochemical tannin could be the reason for its antibacterial activity.

4味中药及其与抗菌药的复方制剂的MIC测定

用改进的试管两倍稀释法测定了黄连、鱼腥草、大青叶和苦参4味中药及其相互配伍（1：1）对标准大肠杆菌的最小抑菌浓度和4味中药与抗菌药配伍（1000：1）对临床分离鸡大肠杆菌的最小抑菌浓度。结果表明，4味中药及其相互配伍对大肠杆菌标准株有一定的抑制作用，其MIC值介于3．91—62．50mg／mL之间，其中大青叶和鱼腥草以1：l配伍对大肠杆菌抑菌效果最好，MIC为3．91mg／mL；对临床分离株，单方药中黄连抑菌效果最好，MIC为31．25mg／mL，24种复方药中，黄连和盐酸多西环素或加替沙星以1000：1配伍的抑菌效果最好，其MIC为3．91mg／mL。

不同宿主来源产气荚膜梭菌生物被膜形成前后药物敏感性分析

为了检测5株不同宿主来源产气荚膜梭菌形成生物被膜能力及其对抗菌药物的敏感性差异,首先用纸片扩散法药敏试验测定5株不同来源的产气荚膜梭菌对7种抗菌药物的敏感性;筛选高敏药物测定各菌株的最小抑菌浓度(MIC);利用结晶紫染色法检测不同来源产气荚膜梭菌生物被膜形成能力和高敏药物对生物被膜的抑制和清除能力。药敏结果显示,5株不同宿主来源产气荚膜梭菌均对氨苄西林高度敏感,对其余6种抗菌药物有不同程度耐药;氨苄西林对不同菌株的MIC值在0.031~2.000μg/mL之间;所有菌株均能生成生物被膜,但生物被膜生成能力有差异;不同菌株在各自4、2、1 MIC下生物被膜的生成受到不同程度抑制,而亚抑菌浓度的氨苄西林能刺激生物被膜的生成,氨苄西林对已经生成的生物被膜不能完全清除。结果表明,不同来源产气荚膜梭菌形成生物被膜前后对药物敏感性不同,可为产气荚膜梭菌的临床用药选择及使用剂量提供一定的参考依据。

2010—2012年万古霉素对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌MIC值的变化

目的了解万古霉素对不同标本来源的耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)最低抑菌浓度(MIC)值的变化。方法收集某院2010—2012年临床分离的MRSA菌株,测定MRSA万古霉素MIC值;并按不同标本来源,对菌株万古霉素MIC值进行分析。结果 3年共收集金黄色葡萄球菌1 434株,其中分离自痰标本857株,血液标本239株,其他标本338株;2010—2012年MRSA检出率分别为41.12%(169/411)、44.96%(214/476)和48.08%(263/547)。2010—2012年血液标本分离的金黄色葡萄球菌MRSA检出率分别为29.03%、30.86%、30.21%,痰标本分离的金黄色葡萄球菌MRSA检出率分别为46.89%、51.03%、57.10%;3年间痰标本MRSA检出率均高于血液标本(χ2值分别为6.41、10.36、21.43,均P<0.05)。血液及痰标本分离的MRSA对万古霉素均敏感。2010—2012年血液标本分离的MRSA万古霉素MIC≥1.00μg/mL菌株分别占38.89%(7株)、40.00%(10株)及37.93%(11株),3年间比较,差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.02,P=0.999);痰液分离的MRSA万古霉素MIC≥1.00μg/mL菌株分别占36.28%(41株)、40.94%(61株)及49.73%(92株),3年比较,差异亦无统计学意义(χ2=5.72,P=0.057)。结论该院2010—2012年临床MRSA检出率呈增高趋势。痰标本的MRSA检出率及万古霉素MIC值有所增高;血液标本的MRSA检出率及万古霉素MIC变化不明显。

常用抗生素对鸭疫里默氏杆菌MIC最佳试验条件的确立

为了研究常用抗生素对临床分离到的鸭疫里默氏杆菌(riemerella anatipestifer,RA)的抑菌效果,试验首先绘制RA的生长曲线,确定其对数生长期,以对数生长期的细菌作为受试菌,测定6种常用抗生素对4株RA菌株在不同稀释度时的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),确定最佳接菌量,进而确定测定MIC的最佳时间。结果表明:新鲜培养的RA菌液的OD600值为0.8~1.2时,细菌达到对数生长期,菌落形成单位达到1×10^(11)~1×10^(12)cfu/m L。对数生长期细菌稀释至1×10^(-5)为最佳接菌量,将上述菌液接种到96孔板后,在37℃培养22~24 h为检测MIC的最佳时间。

抗生素最小抑制浓度法(MICs)评估环境大肠杆菌抗生素抗性

2015年世界卫生组织将抗生素的滥用列为21世纪最大的挑战之一,全球范围内抗生素抗药性的散播已严重威胁人类的健康。如何检测环境中的细菌抗药性,并有效评估抗药性感染的风险,是环境微生物研究的一项重要课题。本文通过改进的培养基微量稀释(broth micro-dilution)法,确定了2个地区(中国成都和美国夏威夷)不同环境来源(天然水系和市政污水)的大肠杆菌的抗生素最小抑制浓度(minimum inhibitory concentrations,MICs)。计算所得的MIC分位数(MIC50和MIC90)、菌体抗性百分比及多抗药性指数(multiple antibiotic resistance indexes,MARIs)显示两地不同环境区划的抗生素抗性存在明显的差异。天然水系(成都锦江)中的抗生素抗性是随时间可变的,与当地的降雨事件相关。环境菌株的抗药性模式通过聚类和非度量多维测度(non-metric multidimensional scaling,NMDS)进行分析。广谱β-内酰胺酶基因筛查显示出抗性基因与抗性表型之间的正相关性。结合现有的两地抗生素的使用数据讨论了两地环境抗生素抗性与当地人类活动及抗生素的使用实践之间的紧密联系。采集环境菌株抗生素MIC数据的实验及数据分析方法实现了环境抗药性的跨时空对比,为规范抗生素的区域性使用提供了指导作用。

比较Thermo STP6F药敏测定卡与微量肉汤稀释法测定链球菌对抗菌药物的敏感性

目的为临床提供快速、准确、方便的链球菌药敏试验测定方法,比较ThermoSTP6F药敏测定卡与金标准微量肉汤稀释法测定链球菌对抗菌药物的敏感性。方法按CLSI要求,用ThermoSTP6F药敏测定卡检测199株链球菌(肺炎链球菌、化脓链球菌和无乳链球菌),与微量肉汤稀释法结果进行比较。结果两种药敏测试方法涵盖10种抗菌药物对肺炎链球菌的药敏试验结果,分类一致率(CA)为94.6%,基本一致率(EA)为95.5%,重大偏差(VMD)为0.5%,较大偏差(MD)为1.2%,次要偏差(mD)为4.6%;对化脓链球菌两种方法测试结果的CA为99.2%,EA为95.0%,VMD为0.8%,MD为0.8%,mD为0;对无乳链球菌两种方法测试结果的CA为97.8%,EA为93.6%,VMD为1.1%,MD为0.9%,mD为1.2%。ThermoSTP6F药敏测定卡所得数值常比标准方法略高。结论ThermoSTP6F药敏测定卡对链球菌的检测结果与微量肉汤稀释法一致性较好,在用于检测肺炎链球菌对美罗培南敏感性时建议结合E试验法复核确认。

附洛优对3种细菌MIC值的测定

为了观察附洛优对临床分离所得的大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和沙门菌的体外抑菌效果,采用试管二倍稀释法测定该药对3种菌株的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)。结果表明,试验中附洛优对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和沙门菌的MIC值分别为156.3μg/ml,0.39μg/ml和1250μg/ml。

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of novel polyene type antimicrobial metabolite producing actinomycetes from marine sediments:Bay of Bengal India

Objective:To isolate and indentify the promising antimicrobial metabolite producing Streptomyces strains from marine sediment samples from Andraprudesh coast of India.Methods:Antagonistic aetinomycetes were isolated by starch casein agar medium and modified nutrient agar medium with 1%glucose used as a base for primary screening.Significant antimicrobial metabolite producing strains were selected and identified by using biochemical and 16S rDNA level.Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the organic extracts were done by using broth micro dilution method.Results:Among the 210 actinomyeetes,64.3%exhibited activity against Gram positive bacteria,48.5%showed activity towards Cram negative bacteria,38.8%exhibited both Cram positive and negative bacteria and 80.85%isolates revealed significant antifungal activity.However,five isolates AP-5,AP-18,AP-41 and AP-70 showed significant antimicrobial activity.The analysis of cell wall hydrolysates showed the presence of LL-diaminopimelic acid and glycine in all the isolates.Sequencing analysis indicated that the isolates shared 98.5%-99.8%sequence identity to the 16S rDNA gene sequences of the Streptomyces taxons.The antimicrobial substances were extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate from spent medium in which strains were cultivated at 30X for five days.The antimicrobial activity was assessed using broth micro dilution technique.Each of the culture extracts from these five strains showed a typical polyenelike property.The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations of ethyl acetate extracts against Escherichia coli and Cumularia lunula were 67.5 and 125.0μg/mL,respectively.Conclusions:It can be concluded that hexane and ethyl acetate soluble extracellular products of novel isolates are effective against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

利用浊度法快速测定磷酸三钠对两种采后病原真菌的MIC及NIC值

从腐烂苹果果实上分离两种主要果蔬采后病原真菌扩展青霉(Penicillium expansum)与链格孢霉(Alternaria alternata),进行孢子悬浮液制备及培养;利用浊度法测定磷酸三钠(trisodium phosphate, TSP)处理后两种病原真菌的生长速度、孢子萌发时间;相关数据拟合Gompertz模型后,进一步计算TSP对P.expansum与A.alternata的最小抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC)和非抑菌浓度(non-inhibitory concentration, NIC).实验结果表明:利用浊度法可以快速测定TSP对两种不同病原真菌的MIC及NIC值,有助于TSP在实际应用中有效浓度的快速确定.

Biochemical characters and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus isolates

Objective:To observe the biochemical characters and antibiotic susceptibility of isolated Staphylococcia aureus(S.auerus) strains against some conventional and traditional antibiotics. Methods:Thirty post operative pathogenic isolated S.aureus strains were used in this study. Bacterial culture was done in Mueller-Hinton broth at 37 ℃.Characters of these strains were determined by traditional biochemical tests such as hydrolysis test of gelatin,urea,galactose, starch and protein,and fermentation of lactose and sucrose.Antibiotic susceptibility were carried out by minimum inhibilory concentration test,minium bactericidal concentration test,disc agar diffusion test and brain heart infusion oxacillin screening agar.Results:Prom this study,it was observed that 100%S.aureus isolates showed positive results in gelatin,urea and galactose hydrolysis test.50%isolates were positive in starch hydrolysis test,35%in protein hydrolysis test. 100%isolates in lactose fermenting test,but no isolate was positive in sucrose fermenting test. Antibiotic susceptibility testing suggested that 20%of isolates were resistant to kanamycin and 46.67%were resistant to oxacillin.Conclusions:These findings show that all these isolates have gelatin,urea,galactose hydrolysis and lactose fermenting activity.20%of these isolates were resistant to kanamvcin and 46.67%were resistant to oxacillin.

Evaluation of cytotoxic and anti-tumor activity of partially purified serine protease isolate from the Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma

Objective:To isolate,partially purify and evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a serine protease from the chosen Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma.Methods:Whole animal extract was prepared and purified its protein constituents by size and charge based chromatographic separation techniques using Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-Cellulose resin respectively.Average molecular weight of the protein isolate was determined and analyzed for its cytotoxic property against Vero cells in different dilutions(1:20 and 1:40)and anti-tumor activity by MTT assay(a colorimetric assay)using breast cancer cell line MCF-7,with tamoxifen as standard.Results:One of the protein constituents after purification was characterized as serine protease by Caseinolytic plate diffusion assay.Average molecular weight of this purified isolate was determined,by SDS-PAGE analysis with standard protein ladder,as of 15 kDa.The performed tests suggested that the 15kDa fraction has potent cytotoxic activity and satisfactory antitumor activity as well in vitro.Conclusions:Exact molecular mechanism of the cytotoxic and antitumor activities is yet to be explored and currently we are working on ultra-purification and biophysical characterization of this fraction.Further investigation into the mechanism(s)of cytotoxic and antitumor activities at molecular level would be useful in treatment of various classes of cancer and viral infections in future.

Aqueous and organic extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.inhibit the mycelia growth of fungi

Aqueous extracts from various plant parts of fenugreek(3%)(aerial parts:leaves and stems(LS),roots(R),ground seeds(GS)and not ground seeds(NGS))and petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions of the aerial parts were assayed to determine their antifungal potential against Botrytis cinerea,Fusarium graminearum,Alternaria sp.,Pythium aphanidermatum,and Rhizoctinia solani.All fenugreek plant parts showed antifungal potential and the magnitude of their inhibitory effects was species and plant parts d...

Bioactive metabolite profiles and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts from Muntingia calabura L. leaves and stems

Objective: To determine the bioactive phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of leaf and stem ethanolic extracts from Muntingia calabura L.(M. calabura).Methods: Dried leaves and stems of M. calabura were extracted with 95% ethanol. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the extracts were examined using the disc diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of each extract showing antimicrobial activity was determined. The dried extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening to determine the presence of bioactive components. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the aluminum chloride method, respectively.Results: Varying degrees of antimicrobial activity were exhibited by the leaf and stem extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa), Salmonella typhimurium,Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis, and Candida albicans(C. albicans),with minimal activity against Escherichia coli. Based on the MIC, the extracts showed the highest activity against C. albicans, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of sterols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and tannins in the leaf extract; however, no triterpenes were detected. In the stem extract,triterpenes were detected along with relative amounts of flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and tannins. Alkaloids and sterols were absent in the stem extract.Conclusions: M. calabura leaf and stem ethanol extracts are potential sources of antibacterial agents against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. This study reports for the first time the high degree of antifungal activity of M. calabura ethanolic extract, especially against C. albicans.

Extracts of the seaweed Bifurcaria bifurcata display antifungal activity against human dermatophyte fungi

Bifurcaria bifurcata is a seaweed of the Order Fucales(Ochrophyta,Phaeophyceae)that can be found all year round along the Portuguese Atlantic shore.Although it is considered edible in some countries,its biotechnological potential has not yet been assessed in detail and here we report its antimicrobial potential against human dermatophyte fungi.Three samples were harvested from Baleal Island(Peniche,Portugal)harvested in winter(BbPe);from Aguda Beach(Arcozelo,Vila Nova de Gaia,Portugal),harvested in autumn(BbAg)and a sample obtained by culturing the Aguda sample under laboratory conditions(BbLC).A broth macrodilution assay was applied to determine the MIC(minimum inhibitory concentration)and MLC(minimum lethal concentration)of the B.bifurcata extracts.Results show that the BbPe MeOH extracts were the most effective and had higher antifungal activity against all the tested dermatophyte strains than the BbLC and BaAg extracts[Epidermophyton floccosum FF9(100–200μg/mL MIC;200μg/mL MLC),Microsporum canis FF1(400μg/mL MIC;≥400μg/mL MLC),Trichophyton mentagrophytes FF7(100μg/mL MIC;>800μg/mL MLC),M.gypseum CECT 2908(800μg/mL MIC;≥800μg/mL MLC),T.mentagrophytes var.interdigitale CECT 2958(800μg/mL MIC;≥800μg/mL MLC),T.rubrum CECT 2794(200μg/mL MIC;≥400μg/mL MLC)].In fact,only E.floccosum FF9 was sensitive to BbAg and BbLC MeOH extracts.To our knowledge,this is the first report of antifungal activity of B.bifurcata against human dermatophyte fungi.