3
RUDN microbiologists receive antimicrobial drugs from the bark of an African tree

RUDN microbiologists receive antimicrobial drugs from the bark of an African tree

For the first time, RUDN University microbiologists have fully studied the composition of the African tree extract, which is used in folk medicine against inflammation. Moreover, with the help of the extract, biochemists obtained silver nanoparticles. All obtained substances were found to be effective antimicrobial agents.

African tree Enantia chloranta is known in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It grows mainly in Cameroon and other countries in central Africa. It is still used in cosmetology today. However, unlike other similar plants, Enantia chloranta is still not studied in terms of biochemistry. RUDN University biologists noticed that the enantia can become an environmentally friendly source of silver nanoparticles, the antibacterial properties of which have long been used. RUDN biologists for the first time fully studied the biochemical composition of the enanthia bark extract, obtained silver nanoparticles from it and tested their action against bacteria.

“In recent years, interest in silver nanoparticles has increased . They are used in various fields, including medicine and nutrition, due to their unique physical and chemical properties. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles is usually carried out chemically or using microwave processing, electron irradiation, lasers. However, these methods are increasingly being replaced by more environmentally friendly approaches. Nanosilver can be obtained using microorganisms, enzymes and plant extracts. So, some plants, medicinal and ordinary, are already used for this. However, very few works are devoted to the use of enantia for this”, — Mbarga Joseph Arsen, assistant of the Department of Microbiology and Virology, RUDN University.

Microbiologists used freshly harvested enanthia bark. It was dried at room temperature for 7 days and then sent to the laboratory. There, a number of phytochemicals were obtained from the bark and their composition was determined. Also, with the help of an extract from the bark and a solution of silver nitrate, RUDN University biochemists obtained silver nanoparticles. The effect of the obtained substances was tested on 22 types of bacteria.

The bark extract in different concentrations was able to destroy 6 types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. Silver nanoparticles obtained using the extract proved to be effective against all studied bacteria with approximately the same efficiency.

“For the first time, we have optimized the extraction of phytochemicals from the bark of enanthia, studied the composition, carried out a green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Our results provide a solid experimental basis on which to consider the enantium bark and nanosilver obtained with its help as powerful antimicrobial compounds. This is especially important given the growing resistance to antimicrobials,” Mbarga Joseph Arsen, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Virology, RUDN University.

The results are published in Fermentation.

International scientific cooperation View all
16 Oct
530 applications, 90 young scientists from 30 countries. Darya Nazarova, a postgraduate student of RUDN Faculty of Economics, traveled 11,276 km from Moscow to Sao Paulo for the International Scientific School on Technological and Innovation Strategies and Economic Development Policy at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Darya Nazarova, a young RUDN scientist, writes about scientific research, rafting and the country of eternal carnival.
83
Student's Scientific Initiatives View all
03 Nov 2017
June 22 - 26, 2017 in Barnaul, Altai State University, took place the Summer Academy of the BRICS Youth Assembly, an international event that brought together representatives of different countries
1790
Similar newsletter View all
16 Oct
Green Diplomacy Center opened in RUDN

A Center for Green Diplomacy was created based on the RUDN Institute of Environmental Engineering. Among the goals is the integration of the results of scientific and practical activities into the development of international relations in the environmental sphere. The center's specialists will also accompany the corporate sector in solving various environmental problems.

130
19 Apr
A huge pizza and a jug of water, why should 5G networks be sliced? The winners of RUDN science competition explain

RUDN summarized the results of the scientific competition "Project Start: work of the science club ". Students of the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Natural Sciences have created a project for a managed queuing system using a neural network to redistribute resources between 5G segments. How to increase flexibility, make the network fast and inexpensive and reach more users — tell Gebrial Ibram Esam Zekri ("Fundamental Computer Science and Information Technology", Master's degree, II course) and Ksenia Leontieva ("Applied Mathematics and Computer Science", Master's degree, I course).

183
19 Apr
Lyricists and physicists are now on equal terms: the first humanitarian laboratory opened in RUDN

What is your first association with the word “laboratory”? Flasks and beakers? Microscopes and centrifuges? Yes, many of us would answer the same way.

230
Similar newsletter View all