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Local seaweed a bug blaster

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CHEMICALS in a Victorian seaweed could shut down bacteria that cause golden staph and cholera.

The chemicals in seaweed Delisea pulchra, known as furanones, do not kill the bacteria but shut off the ability for the bacteria to send signals to each other. The seaweed makes the compounds to prevent bacteria forming biofilms on its leaves. Scientists have proven in the laboratory that the compounds stop cholera from developing. “The fact that furanones prevent bacterial communications means they may be effective against a wide range of bacteria that have communications systems,” said Dr Diane McDougald, senior research associate at the University of New South Wales.Golden staph, cholera, pneumonia, tuberculosis, food poisoning and other bacterial infections, including those related to cystic fibrosis, could be in the seaweed compound’s firing line. The bacteria have become resistant to many antibiotics and are becoming harder to treat. Delisea pulchra is a red algal species of seaweed found in Port Phillip Bay, off the Victorian coast, and off southeast Australia. Use of the furanones could reduce the likelihood of drug-resistance problems common in anti-microbial treatments. “Because furanones don’t kill the bacteria, there is no selection pressure for them to develop resistance,’ Dr McDougald said. (Source: University of NSW, Sydney Morning Herald, December 2004)


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Dates

Posted On: 9 December, 2004
Modified On: 4 December, 2013


Created by: myVMC