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. 2017 Nov;24(7):1657-1662.
doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.10.014. Epub 2015 Oct 23.

Alterations in the antibacterial potential of Synechococcus spp. PCC7942 under the influence of UV-B radiations on skin pathogens

Nida Fatima  1 , Iffat Zareen Ahmad  1 , Hera Chaudhry  1   2
Affiliations

Alterations in the antibacterial potential of Synechococcus spp. PCC7942 under the influence of UV-B radiations on skin pathogens

Nida Fatima et al. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2017 Nov.

Abstract

Marine organisms are seen as a source of novel drugs and the discovery of new pharmaceutical is increasingly in demand. Cyanobacteria are regarded as a potential target for this as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, algicide and cytotoxic activities have been reported in these organisms. They have been identified as a new and rich source of bioactive compounds belonging to diversified groups. Radiation in the UV-B range interferes with various metabolic reactions by generating free radicals and active oxygen species. These deleterious compounds are inactivated by antioxidants. Among them are the carotenoids and phycocyanin which protect against photodynamic action in different ways. Stress plays an important role in the production of bioactive metabolites from organisms. Synechococcus spp. PCC7942 was studied for antibacterial activity against various pathogenic bacteria resistant to a number of available antibiotics after being exposed to UV-B radiation. The antibacterial activity of Synechococcus spp. PCC7942 was studied on five potent skin pathogens. The highest antibacterial activity was seen the methanol extracts of 24 h UV-B exposed cultures of Synechococcus spp. PCC7942. It can be concluded that there was moderate antibacterial activity. Results showed stress, solvent and dose-dependent activity. This antibacterial activity might be due to the enhanced synthesis of carotenoids and phycocyanin under UV-B stress. The purpose of the present study was to relate the inhibitory effects of the cyanobacterial compounds specifically on skin pathogens with exposure to UV-B radiation as UV protecting compounds are already reported in these organisms.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity; Bioactive compounds; Cyanobacteria; Skin pathogens; UV-B radiation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Synthesis of carotenoids and phycocyanin in Synechococcus spp. PCC7942 in UV-B stress.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Petriplates showing zones of inhibition of bacterial strains by the extracts of UV-B exposed cultures Synechococcus spp. PCC7942.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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