Staphylococcus aureus is the cause of a variety of infections that range from mild to severe. It is a bacterium that can interfere with the proper functions of the respiratory muscles and be fatal. It is the cause of various diseases ranging from abscesses to toxic shock syndrome. Many strains of S. aureus have exhibited antibiotic resistance and the antibiotics that are currently in the market have severe side effects. Hence we sought to understand natural treatments, as opposed to artificial treatments, to inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation. This may lead to the rescuing of lives, as S. aureus biofilm formation is a key virulence factor of this pathogen. By examining effective dosage levels of olive and coconut oil-based soaps to inhibit biofilm formation, this investigation seeks to find natural remedies for S. aureus infections. A standard crystal violet assay was used to test the antibacterial activities of the agents, extra virgin olive & coconut oil-based soaps. Even though there was skewing of results due to contamination of the wells, the overall trend supports our hypothesis that the agents possess antimicrobial properties that inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation. We have also found that the threshold value of agents for inhibition of S.aureus biofilm formation lies between 0.1% and 0.01%. More diluted concentrations of those agents are not as effective against S. aureus biofilms.

Last modified

• 10/14/2020

Creator

• Elkattawy, Sherif

Contributors

• Dr. Jill Calahan, Thesis Advisor

Subject

• Biology

Publisher

• Saint Peter's University

Date created

• May 4, 2015

Resource type

• Research Paper

Rights statement

• In Copyright