Silkworm-Derived Moricins: A Novel Peptide Antibiotic against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

The rise of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a significant threat to global health, with limited treatment options available. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have accelerated the development of resistance, making it a pressing concern. Despite the urgency, there is a dearth of research on novel peptide antibiotics, such as silkworm-derived moricins, which could potentially combat multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Specifically, the antimicrobial efficacy and mechanisms of action of moricins against P. aeruginosa remain underexplored, warranting further investigation to address this critical public health issue.This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of silkworm-derived moricins against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Three P. aeruginosa isolates (LG03, F065, F076) were characterized using cultural, morphological, and molecular techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing using disc diffusion technique revealed 43.59% resistance to conventional antibiotics, with 82.35% exhibiting multi-antibiotic resistance. The moricins showed varying degrees of inhibitory activity against the isolates, with significant differences in activity among moricins (p < 0.05) as micro dilution technique was employed. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in resistance patterns among isolates (p < 0.05). The study concludes that moricins may be a potential alternative or adjunct to conventional antibiotics against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.