Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
secondary chemicals, lichens, pathologenic bacteria
College
Life Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Lichens consist of a fungus occurring symbiotically with a photosynthetic organism (such as an alga and/or cyanobacterium). Lichens are known to produce a high number of secondary metabolites. Studies have shown that these secondary compounds have various biological roles such as antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, antioxidant, etc. (Huneck, 1999; Molnar & Farkas, 2010). There is a great need for new forms of antibiotics as bacterial infection is an ongoing problem and many bacteria have become resistant to available treatments. To develop new forms of antibiotics many different potential compounds need to be tested. The purpose of this project was to test secondary chemistry extracted from various species of North American lichens (that had never been tested before) against four different bacteria: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Recommended Citation
Raphael, Jocelyn and St. Clair, Dr. Larry
(2013)
"Screening of Secondary Chemicals from Selected Species of North American Lichens Against Various Pathologenic Bacteria,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1115.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1115