Staphylococcus aureus is considered one of the most prevalent pathogens in hospital-related infections. This strain of Staphylococcus are apart of the human microbiota, and they can contaminate medical instruments and implants and cause infections. (Chessa et al., 2016) Certain strains of Staphylococcus Aureus have gained the ability to resist the antibiotic methicillin. This strain is known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). (Kot et al., 2020) Due to the increased emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, finding new ways to combat these pathogens has become essential. Their ability to form biofilms makes each of these bacteria difficult.
Biofilm formation is one of the leading contributors to antibiotic resistance and hospital-related infections. The biofilm allows bacteria to stick and multiply on medical instruments. Biofilms comprise extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), S. Epidermis, and S. Aureus biofilms, which are polysaccharides, amyloids, and proteins. (Rachid et al., 2000) Studies suggest the synthesis of biofilms is due to the expression of icaADCB proteins. (Rohde et al., 2001)
Manuka honey is derived from the manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand. (Adams et al., 2009) Unlike regular honey, which gets its antimicrobial characteristics from the increased presence of hydrogen peroxide, Manuka honey's antimicrobial characteristics come from its high concentration of methylglyoxal. (Adams et al., 2008) Studies suggest that manuka honey can drug-resistant bacteria. (Brown et al., 2020) This study aims to explore manuka honey's efficacy in inhibiting biofilm growth. (Camplin & Maddocks, 2014)
On Tuesday, I plated E. Coli and tested the effectiveness of 4 samples to kill the bacteria. The sample included , Aloe Vera gel (store bought), Windex, Tap water, and 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. This experiment was pretty much used to keep me busy as I haven't yet been able to start a project. However when I came in Wednesday, I found some interesting results. The zone of inhibition was basically 0 for every sample, including the isopropyl alcohol. Although the tap water, being the control, and the Windex doesn't jump out as a surprise to me, the 70% Alcohol does. Originally I had two hypothesis's on why this occurred. One being that because E. Coli is a gut bacteria and therefore is built to withstand alcohol. The second theory suggest user error such as the letting the alcohol evaporate to much before I was able to put the disk on the plate. Because of the results on Wednesday and with the first hypothesis in mind, I chose to do another plate instead with Staphylococcus. I ch
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