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Increasing the antibacterial activity of gentamicin in combination with extracted polyphosphate from Bacillus

S Ghashghaei1, G Emtiazi

  • 1Biology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

Journal of Applied Microbiology
|January 22, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Researchers produced polyphosphate (poly P) from a novel Bacillus megaterium strain. Bacterial poly P demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity and synergistic effects with gentamicin, offering a potential alternative for treating resistant infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Biochemistry
  • Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research

Background:

  • Polyphosphate (poly P) is a biopolymer with diverse biological functions.
  • Growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics like gentamicin necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To produce polyphosphate (poly P) from a bacterial source.
  • To investigate the antibacterial effects of bacterial poly P.
  • To evaluate the synergistic activity of bacterial poly P with gentamicin.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and identification of high-poly P producing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium strain G11).
  • Extraction and characterization of poly P using Albert staining, Mussig-Zufika method, thin layer chromatography, and (31)P NMR.
  • Determination of phosphorus uptake and poly P production kinetics via vanado-molybdate colorimetric method; assessment of antimicrobial activity.

Main Results:

  • Strain G11, identified as Bacillus megaterium, produced high levels of poly P with an average chain length of 10.5.
  • Bacterial poly P exhibited significantly better antimicrobial activity than chemically produced poly P.
  • Synergistic effects were observed when bacterial poly P was combined with gentamicin, particularly against Corynebacterium glutamicum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusions:

  • A high-yield poly P-producing bacterium was successfully isolated and utilized for poly P extraction.
  • Bacterial poly P shows promising antimicrobial properties and can enhance the efficacy of gentamicin.
  • Bacterial poly P demonstrated sensitivity in gentamicin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, suggesting its potential as a gentamicin substitute in treatments.

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