In our first trial where we tested the max dose where the Melittin absorbance values were slightly lower than ampicillin. This means that it had even less Salmonella Typhimurium present in the microwells allowing us to infer that both Melittin and ampicillin effectively killed the Salmonella. In this context, I assume that the Melittin and the fact it was diluted allowed it to have a slightly lower absorbance value.
Of course, thank you! So bactericidal means that the bacteria died due to the antibiotic. Bacteriostatic tells us that the antibiotic just inhibited the growth of the bacteria. This means when you reintroduce bactericidal into new media it will not grow because it is dead. However, when you reintroduce bacteriostatic into new fresh media it will grow again since only its growth was inhibited.
Melittin is a venom that has antimicrobial peptides. Structurally, Melittin is a positively charged amphipathic 26-amino-acid peptide that associates with the membrane bilayer by interacting with the negative phospholipid heads with the positively charged amino acids (this can be seen in the first image in the presentation). These amphipathic properties (both hydrophobic and hydrophilic), water solubility, and helical structure allow membrane penetration causing transmembrane pores that allow cytotoxic activities in the cell.
Is melittin more effective than ampicillin? If so, what properties make it more effective?
In our first trial where we tested the max dose where the Melittin absorbance values were slightly lower than ampicillin. This means that it had even less Salmonella Typhimurium present in the microwells allowing us to infer that both Melittin and ampicillin effectively killed the Salmonella. In this context, I assume that the Melittin and the fact it was diluted allowed it to have a slightly lower absorbance value.
Great Presentation! You said it was bactericidal, could you explain the difference between it being bactericidal v bacteriostatic?
Of course, thank you! So bactericidal means that the bacteria died due to the antibiotic. Bacteriostatic tells us that the antibiotic just inhibited the growth of the bacteria. This means when you reintroduce bactericidal into new media it will not grow because it is dead. However, when you reintroduce bacteriostatic into new fresh media it will grow again since only its growth was inhibited.
Great work! What specific anatomy of melittin causes it to have antibacterial properties?
Melittin is a venom that has antimicrobial peptides. Structurally, Melittin is a positively charged amphipathic 26-amino-acid peptide that associates with the membrane bilayer by interacting with the negative phospholipid heads with the positively charged amino acids (this can be seen in the first image in the presentation). These amphipathic properties (both hydrophobic and hydrophilic), water solubility, and helical structure allow membrane penetration causing transmembrane pores that allow cytotoxic activities in the cell.