ORCID
0009-0004-9574-2900
Department
Biological Sciences
Year of Study
3
Full-time or Part-time Study
Full-time
Level
Undergraduate
Name of Course
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Presentation Type
Poster
Supervisor
Dr Craig Murphy
Supervisor
Monica Murphy
Abstract
Background
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has highlighted the need for novel antimicrobials. Antimicrobial compounds can be isolated from various marine sources, including seaweed, which contain pigments and proteins. This study focuses on screening seaweeds for potential antimicrobial compounds.
Methods
Four seaweed types (A, B, C, D) were collected from beaches in Cork, Ireland, and extracts of each were prepared using both methanol (-M) and water (-H2O). The absorbance maximum (λmax)of seaweed extracts was determined from 220 – 800 nm to investigate potential pigment interference at 600 nm. The bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay was preformed to determine the protein concentration of the seaweed extracts prior to testing against bacteria. To determine antimicrobial activity, a test panel including E. coli, A. baumanii, K. aerogenes, P. aeruginosa and clinical staphylococci strains was established. Agar-based minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were performed for each extract type on the entire test panel.
Results
Each of the four seaweed types extracted with water had a greater λmax compared to the methanol extractions. Seaweed A-H2O had a λmax of 388 nm whereas A-M had a λmax of 286 nm. Water extracted seaweed samples showed greater protein concentration compared to the methanol samples. Seaweed B-H2O had a protein concentration of 1815.10 μg/mL whereas B-M had a protein concentration of 197.05 μg/mL. Both methanol and water extracts from seaweed A and B showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA and several clinical staphylococcal strains, however, lower MICs were achieved with water extracts.
Conclusion
Both extract types were capable of producing an antimicrobial response against Gram-positive strains potentially due to water extracts reporting greater protein concentrations.
Keywords:
Microbiology
Start Date
2-11-2023 11:15 AM
End Date
2-11-2023 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Kenneally, Claudia, "Examining the absorbance maximum, protein concentration and antimicrobial activity of seaweed extracts" (2023). ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting). 7.
https://sword.cit.ie/orbiom/2023/posters/7
Included in
Examining the absorbance maximum, protein concentration and antimicrobial activity of seaweed extracts
Background
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has highlighted the need for novel antimicrobials. Antimicrobial compounds can be isolated from various marine sources, including seaweed, which contain pigments and proteins. This study focuses on screening seaweeds for potential antimicrobial compounds.
Methods
Four seaweed types (A, B, C, D) were collected from beaches in Cork, Ireland, and extracts of each were prepared using both methanol (-M) and water (-H2O). The absorbance maximum (λmax)of seaweed extracts was determined from 220 – 800 nm to investigate potential pigment interference at 600 nm. The bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay was preformed to determine the protein concentration of the seaweed extracts prior to testing against bacteria. To determine antimicrobial activity, a test panel including E. coli, A. baumanii, K. aerogenes, P. aeruginosa and clinical staphylococci strains was established. Agar-based minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were performed for each extract type on the entire test panel.
Results
Each of the four seaweed types extracted with water had a greater λmax compared to the methanol extractions. Seaweed A-H2O had a λmax of 388 nm whereas A-M had a λmax of 286 nm. Water extracted seaweed samples showed greater protein concentration compared to the methanol samples. Seaweed B-H2O had a protein concentration of 1815.10 μg/mL whereas B-M had a protein concentration of 197.05 μg/mL. Both methanol and water extracts from seaweed A and B showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA and several clinical staphylococcal strains, however, lower MICs were achieved with water extracts.
Conclusion
Both extract types were capable of producing an antimicrobial response against Gram-positive strains potentially due to water extracts reporting greater protein concentrations.