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Plant Agar plate seeded with known bacteria Sterile Pasteur pipette Bunsen burner Beaker of disinfectant, 1% Virkon or equivalent Bench spray of disinfectant, 1% Virkon or equivalent Bactericidal soap Paper towels Marker pen Forceps Plant extract/ antibiotic/ impregnated paper discs Adhesive tape Incubator set at 30 °C |
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Introduce the topic: Even though pharmacological industries have produced a number of new antibiotics in the last three decades, resistance to these drugs by microorganisms has increased. In general, bacteria have the genetic ability to transmit and acquire resistance to drugs, which are utilized as therapeutic agents. Such a fact is a cause for concern. Therefore, actions must be taken to control the use of antibiotic, develop research to better understand the genetic mechanisms of resistance, and to continue studies to develop new drugs, either synthetic or natural. The ultimate goal is to offer appropriate and efficient antimicrobial drugs to the patient. According to World Health Organization, medicinal plants would be the best source to obtain a variety of drugs. About 80% of individuals from developed countries use traditional medicine, which has compounds derived from medicinal plants. Therefore, such plants should be investigated to better understand their properties, safety and efficiency. In Argentina, a research tested 122 known plant species used for therapeutic treatments. It was documented that among the compounds extracted from these plants, twelve inhibited the growth of Staphylococus aureus, ten inhibited Escherichia coli, and four inhibited Aspergillus niger and also reported that the most potent compound was one extracted from Tabebuia impetiginosa. Hence, more studies pertaining to the use of plants as therapeutic agents should be emphasized, especially those related to the control of antibiotic resistant microbes.
Exercise 1 Extraction Methods Ask the students to inquire about the methodology of preparing safely plant extracts from a plant that they have discovered in their local ecosystem . Further information (it may be used to link chemistry with biology) Advice abounds for the amateur herbalist on how to prepare healing compounds from plants and herbs (reference: Clin Microbiol Rev. 1999 October; 12(4): 564–582. PMCID: PMC88925.Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents Marjorie Murphy Cowan). Water is almost universally the solvent used to extract activity. At home, dried plants can be ingested as teas (plants steeped in hot water) or, rarely, tinctures (plants in alcoholic solutions) or inhaled via steam from boiling suspensions of the parts. Dried plant parts can be added to oils or petroleum jelly and applied externally. Poultices can also be made from concentrated teas or tinctures. Scientific analysis of plant components follows a logical pathway. Plants are collected either randomly or by following leads supplied by local healers in geographical areas where the plants are found. Initial screenings of plants for possible antimicrobial activities typically begin by using crude aqueous or alcohol extractions, and can be followed by various organic extraction methods. Since nearly all of the identified components from plants active against microorganisms are aromatic, or saturated organic compounds, they are most often obtained through initial ethanol or methanol extraction. In fact, many studies avoid the use of aqueous fractionation altogether. The exceptional water-soluble compounds, such as polysaccharides (e.g., starch) and polypeptides, including fabatin and various lecitins, are commonly more effective as inhibitors of pathogen (usually virus) adsorption and would not be identified in the screening techniques commonly used. Occasionally tannins and terpenoids will be found in the aqueous phase, but they are more often obtained by treatment with less polar solvents.
Exercise 2 In this activity, the students will be testing the effectiveness of several types of plant extract/ antibiotics/, which they have produced from plants selected from their local ecosystem,. on bacteria The standard method of doing this is to put discs of blotting paper soaked in the various extracts / and control antibiotics onto an agar plate that has been inoculated with the bacteria.
Question Ask the students to inquire about the safety parameters that they need to apply during this investigation. Safety is an important aspect of this experiment and guidance on microbiology safety is essential.
The students need to investigate the following considerations: Eye protection. Pathogenic microorganisms Aseptic techniques Antibacterial disinfectant Allergic reactions First aid Exercise 3 Ask the students to perform an experiment, which investigates the effect of different types of antibiotic/ plant extracts (the independent variable) on bacteria. Include details of a suitable dependent variable and how it can be measured. Methodology
A clear area where the bacterial growth has been inhibited should surround each of the discs. The simplest measurement would be to use a ruler and measure the diameter of the cleared area. It is straightforward to compare the results of different treatments if the clear areas are perfect circles. If the diameter varies, one possibility is to measure at the widest point. For a more precise measurement, the area of the clear zone would have to be determined. Students may suggest possible ways of doing this.
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