Presentation Type
Poster
Chemical activity of secondary metabolites produced by mangrove endophytes in coastal ecosystems around Florida on various pathogens
Abstract
MRSA and VRE have become pathogens of concern over the past decade due to their resistance to many current antibiotics. It has thus become vital to unearth new compounds capable of eliminating these pathogens in order to avoid the possibility of an incurable epidemic. Naturally produced compounds are excellent candidates for study due to the lack of preparation required and their inclination to display chemical activity. The focus of this research is to observe the chemical activity of secondary metabolites produced by fungi residing in mangroves around Florida on the pathogens MRSA, VRE, C.Albicons, and malaria. Secondary metabolites are compounds formed by organisms that are not vital for immediate survival. These metabolites were gathered from the fungi and tested on the pathogens. The metabolite cocktails that were found to be effective on pathogens were then divided into the individual compounds that composed them and the individual compounds found to neutralize the pathogen were discovered. Through the study of sixty fungi over six months, this research yielded three compounds effective in combating MRSA, VRE, and C.Albicons, and one compound effective against malaria. This revealed not only revealed chemically active compounds, but the effectiveness of investigation in naturally produced marine compounds.
Categories
Biomedical Sciences
Research Type
Research Assistant
Mentor Information
Dr. Bill Baker
Chemical activity of secondary metabolites produced by mangrove endophytes in coastal ecosystems around Florida on various pathogens
MRSA and VRE have become pathogens of concern over the past decade due to their resistance to many current antibiotics. It has thus become vital to unearth new compounds capable of eliminating these pathogens in order to avoid the possibility of an incurable epidemic. Naturally produced compounds are excellent candidates for study due to the lack of preparation required and their inclination to display chemical activity. The focus of this research is to observe the chemical activity of secondary metabolites produced by fungi residing in mangroves around Florida on the pathogens MRSA, VRE, C.Albicons, and malaria. Secondary metabolites are compounds formed by organisms that are not vital for immediate survival. These metabolites were gathered from the fungi and tested on the pathogens. The metabolite cocktails that were found to be effective on pathogens were then divided into the individual compounds that composed them and the individual compounds found to neutralize the pathogen were discovered. Through the study of sixty fungi over six months, this research yielded three compounds effective in combating MRSA, VRE, and C.Albicons, and one compound effective against malaria. This revealed not only revealed chemically active compounds, but the effectiveness of investigation in naturally produced marine compounds.
