Abdelrahman Sedeek

Conference 2024 Poster

Poster Title

Enhanced anti-MRSA activity of two halophilic marine bacterial strains through biotic stress

Authors and Affiliations

Abdelrahman M. Sedeek1, Israa Salah2

1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Ismailia, Egypt
2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University of Technology and Information (MTI), Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health threat due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. New antimicrobial agents are urgently needed to combat MRSA infections. Blue biotechnology (marine biotechnology) is a rapidly growing field that harnesses the power of marine microorganisms and their natural metabolites to develop new drugs.

Methods

Two marine microbial strains were isolated from the Egyptian Great Bitter Lake using R2A agar. The pure isolated strains were identified and phylogenetically analyzed by sequencing their partial 16S rRNA genes. The secondary metabolites from their R2A broth cultures, as well as the co-culture of both isolates, were extracted using ethyl acetate. The extracts were then tested for their antimicrobial activity against MRSA using the standard well diffusion method.

Results

The two isolated strains were identified as Microbacterium resistens strain ISA and Bacillus pumilus strain R-4. The metabolic extracts of both strains exhibited potent anti-MRSA activity when cultivated as mono cultures, but there was no significant synergism in the anti-MRSA activity between both extracts. Interestingly, co-cultivation of the two strains resulted in a significant enhancement of their anti-MRSA activity, suggesting that biotic stress can potentiate the production of their anti-MRSA metabolites.

Conclusions

Microbacterium resistens strain ISA and Bacillus pumilus strain R-4 are a promising source of new anti-MRSA agents. Biotic stress may be a useful strategy for enhancing the production of anti-MRSA metabolites by these isolates.