Search Constraints

Start Over
Filtering by: Subject Biochemistry Remove constraint Subject: Biochemistry

Search Results

  • The Effects of Limonene and Holy Basil Tea on Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Growth as a Supplement in Conjunction with Tetracycline

    Description:
    In recent years, scientists have come to understand that the effective life span of antimicrobial agents is limited, due to the current crisis pertaining to the rapid emergence of resistant bacteria that is occurring worldwide. As a result, numerous studies have been, and continue to be, conducted in order to find natural alternative sources of antimicrobial agents, with particular interest in sourcing them from plants. The aim of this study is to explore the inhibitory effects of limonene and holy basil tea on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, as well as to observe any synergistic interactions between these agents and the broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline that may amplify the inhibition of these biofilms. Limonene and holy basil tea are both plant-based treatments, sourced from the oil of citrus fruits, and from holy basil, respectively. A traditional crystal violet (CV) biofilm assay was used to test the effectiveness of these agents in inhibiting the growth of S. epidermidis biofilms. Trends thus far indicate that these test agents possess antibacterial activity with which to inhibit the formation of S. epidermidis biofilms.
    Subject:
    Biochemistry
    Creator:
    Tamasar, Akshaye
    Contributor:
    Jill Callahan, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    08/16/2023
    Date Modified:
    08/16/2023
    Date Created:
    Spring 2023
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • On the Effects of Supplemental Lycopene on Pseudomonas fluorescens Biofilm Growth and Their Therapeutic Potential

    Description:
    Even with modern medical discoveries and advances, few effective means exist to combat antibiotic resistance in the clinical setting, and as such treating infections due to pathogens that exhibit it continues to be a formidable challenge for doctors and medical practitioners. Often, it is found that antibiotic-resistant bacterial species have within their arsenals the ability to form what are called biofilms. Biofilms are communal, surface-associated assemblages of bacterial cells encased in polysaccharide matrix. Bacterial cells that live within such protective communities are usually more resistant to the effects of antimicrobial agents––like antibiotics––than planktonic (i.e., free-living) bacterial cells, often resulting in elevated levels of virulence and pathogenicity. Therefore, it stands to reason that novel treatments that specifically target the growth of bacterial biofilms would be greatly beneficial in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (colloquially called “superbugs”). This study in particular investigates whether supplemental lycopene has an inhibitory effect on the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms and whether this inhibition can be synergistically enhanced when used with the broad-spectrum antibiotic, chlortetracycline. Previous studies have established the anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties of lycopene (which is a red-colored carotenoid and antioxidant), but have not investigated its antimicrobial properties in much detail. Obtained results using a standard crystal violet (CV) biofilm assay do suggest that biofilm inhibition increases with increasing supplemental lycopene concentration, and that biofilm inhibition is more substantial when supplemental lycopene is allowed to exert its effects in conjunction with antibiotics like chlortetracycline. Studies involving similar assays are ongoing to corroborate the reproducibility and validity of the obtained results.
    Subject:
    Biochemistry
    Creator:
    Vora, Mihir J.
    Contributor:
    Dr. Jill Calahan, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/14/2022
    Date Modified:
    06/14/2022
    Date Created:
    Spring 2022
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper