Microorganisms are everywhere, and they are essential to protecting the ecosystems we live in. Only a small percentage of microorganisms are pathogenic. However, the infections caused by pathogenic bacteria significantly affect public health. The emergence of antimicrobial agents has solved this health problem[1]. In 1944, streptomycin was discovered and used as an antibacterial agent, after which many other antibacterial agents were also discovered and put into use. However, the overuse of antimicrobial agents leads to an increase in antimicrobial resistance. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance reduces the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents in preventing and treating infectious diseases. Therefore, it is dire to identify and develop novel and effective antimicrobial agents to treat infections from antimicrobial-resistant strains.
Secondary metabolites of microorganisms and plants have pharmacological significance and hold great promise in developing effective antimicrobial agents to combat microbial infections in drug-resistant pathogens. Many novel antimicrobial agents are derived from microbial or plant metabolites and have a wide range of applications in medicine.
Applications
Microorganisms and plants have provided essential components that have shown their potential in medicine as therapeutic agents for the treatment of several illnesses. In the last few decades, antibacterial agents have also expanded with the emergence of numerous articles on natural compounds derived from microorganisms and plants. The following are two examples of metabolites used as antibacterial agents.
- Marine bacterial metabolites used as antimicrobial agents
It is estimated that marine microorganisms produce about 23000 biologically active secondary metabolites. Among them, many secondary metabolites produced by marine bacteria have significant antimicrobial activity. The main sources of antimicrobial agents include the metabolites of marine actinobacteria, marine bacteroidetes, marine cyanobacteria, marine firmicutes, marine lamellae, and marine proteobacteria. Secondary metabolites ambiguine-K and M isonitrile, isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Fischerella ambigua, have exhibited intense antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The novel alkylphenols, anaephenes A-C, isolated from the cyanobacterium Hormoscilla sp, have showed moderate growth inhibition against S. aureus [2].
- Plant metabolites used as antimicrobial agents
Plant metabolites are another important source of antimicrobial agents, mainly including polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, naphthoquinones, alkaloids, and organosulphur compounds. They have potential antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms. For example, lapachol and β-lapachone isolated from Tabebuia species are naphthoquinones that have been reported to inhibit the activity of C. albicans, Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans. The methanolic extract from the leaves of Matricaria aureus, popularly known as golden chamomile has demonstrated significant growth inhibition against Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
What Can We Do?
Alfa Chemistry has a profound research foundation in the field of antimicrobial agents. In our company, you can find the appropriate metabolites for the research of antimicrobial agents. Alfa Chemistry will serve you with the most abundant experience and affordable price. Please feel free to contact us if you have a need.
References
- Doron, S.; Gorbach, S. Bacterial infections: overview. International Journal of Public Health. 2008, 273-282.
- Srinivasan, R.; et al. Marine bacterial secondary metabolites: a treasure house for structurally unique and effective antimicrobial compounds. Marine Drugs. 2021, 19: 530.
Please kindly note that our products and services are for research use only.
