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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #292299
Title: Antimicrobial Properties of an Oxidizer Produced by Burkholderia cenocepacia P525

Author
item Hunter, William
item Manter, Daniel

Submitted to: Current Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/23/2013
Publication Date: 1/3/2014
Citation: Hunter, W.J., Manter, D.K. 2014. Antimicrobial Properties of an Oxidizer Produced by Burkholderia cenocepacia P525. Current Microbiology. 68:610-614.

Interpretive Summary: A species of bacteria, Burkholderia cenocepacia strain P525, was found to produce a compound that has antibiotic properties. The unidentified compound was extracted and purified from liquid cultures of the bacteria using a four step purification procedure. The purification process purified the compound about 400 fold, and the purified product contained only a single major peak when assayed using high pressure liquid chromatography. Size exclusion chromatography shows that the compound has a molecular mass of about 1150 kD and UV spectroscopy suggest the presence of a polyene structure consisting of as many as 6 alternating double bonds between adjacent carbon atoms. Biological studies show that the compound has antibiotic activity as it inhibits the growth of other bacteria. Enterobacter soli and E. aerogenes cells incubated with the compound exhibit a longer lag phase of growth. The antibiotic activity was greatest under acidic conditions, i.e. pH 3. This research suggests that bacteria such as B. cenocepacia strain P525 may have value in the agricultural industry as biocontrol agents.

Technical Abstract: A compound with both oxidizing properties and antibiotic properties was extracted and purified from broth cultures of Burkholderia cenocepacia strain P525. A four step purification procedure was used to increase its specific activity ~ 400 fold and to yield a HPLC- UV chromatogram containing a single major peak. Size exclusion chromatography suggests a molecular mass of ~ 1150 kD and UV spectroscopy suggest the presence of a polyene structure consisting of as many as 6 conjugated double bonds. Biological studies indicate that the compound is bacteriostatic. Enterobacter soli and E. aerogenes cells incubated with the compound exhibit a longer lag phase of growth. The bacteriostatic activity is greater at pH 3 than at pH 5. Bacteria such as B. cenocepacia strain P525 may have value in the agricultural industry as biocontrol agents.