BHU identifies fungal plant against MRSA strain

The research project was funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi

September 4, 2022

Botanical researchers in BHU have identified a plant associated with fungus

Botanical researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have identified a plant associated with fungus, having bioactivity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.

The research findings were published recently in the ‘Journal of Basic Microbiology.’

Dr. Surendra Kumar Gond and his research scholar Sandip Chowdhury recently identified and characterized Pestalotiopsis microspora, an endophytic fungus having anti-MRSA activities from the bark of the Dillenia pentagyna plant.

Dr. Gond said that the current scenario of an increase in infectious diseases caused by bacterial pathogens is a very challenging task for researchers and scientists. There is an urgent call to search for novel natural compounds against developing multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

According to him, Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of healthcare-associated infection, is an adaptable organism having the ability to evolve resistance to many antibiotics by the lateral movement of genetic information between organisms.

He said that the extract of the fungus was very effective to control the growth of MRSA. The bioactive compounds in fungal extract were identified using the GCMS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) technique.

In addition, the fungal extract also showed in-vitro human blood clot lysis activity at various concentrations.

The research project was funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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