Fish Mucus Offers Potential New Antibiotics

Fish Mucus Offers Potential New Antibiotics

New York: With current antibiotics dwindling in effectiveness against multidrug-resistant pathogens, researchers have identified an untapped antibiotic candidate in the protective mucus that coats young fish.

The mucus contains bacteria with promising antibiotic activity against known pathogens-even dangerous organisms, such as the microbe that causes MRSA infections. This viscous substance protects fish from bacteria, fungi, and viruses in their environment, trapping the microbes before they can cause infections. The slime is also rich in polysaccharides and peptides known to have antibacterial activity.

“Fish mucus is really interesting because the environment the fish live in is complex,” said Molly Austin, an undergraduate chemistry student at the Oregon State University. “They are in contact with their environment all the time with many pathogenic viruses.” The researchers will be presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2019 National Meeting and Exposition. (IANS)

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