Biosurfactants are compounds produced
naturally by bacteria, fungi or yeasts and they have been commercially utilised
in shampoos, shower gels, and household cleaning products. They are also used
in food, agriculture, cosmetic and medical industries as well as in
environmental bioremediation to prevent the spread of spoilage and
disease-causing bacteria.
The
biosurfactants produced by the two
bacteria in a recent study prevented the growth of major disease-causing
bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus and gentamicin-resistant E.
coli which can lead to life-threatening infections in humans. This finding
is promising given worldwide reports on the number of deaths caused by
antimicrobial resistant microorganisms that are becoming increasingly difficult
to treat with current drugs.
The discovery of novel antimicrobial
compounds is a priority and biosurfactant compounds could be used to develop
new antibiotics for treatment of various infections caused by antibiotic
resistant bacteria and eventually replace ineffective antibiotics in future.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle
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Pharmaceutical Microbiology