Antimicrobial Peptides Insects: A Study on their Efficacy against Pathogens

Authors

M. A. Idigo , I. H. Iheukwumere , C. M. Iheukwumere , B. C. Nnaeze , C. J. Akulue , N. E. Nwakoby , J. N. Ezendianefor , V. E. Ike , A. O. Nnaedozie , S. N. Ezekwueche , I. S. Anagor , C. C. Aniekwe , F. C. Ezeoke , F. O. Okereke , S. C. Ochibulu

DOI:

10.54117/ijamb.v5i1.103

Published:

2025-11-11

Issue:

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025): Dec

Keywords:

Antimicrobial peptides, Insects, Multidrug-resistant pathogens, Innate immune system, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella enterica

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Idigo, M. A., Iheukwumere, I. H., Iheukwumere, C. M., Nnaeze, . B. C., Akulue, C. J., Nwakoby, N. E., Ezendianefor, J. N., Ike, V. E., Nnaedozie, A. O., Ezekwueche, S. N., Anagor, I. S., Aniekwe, C. C., Ezeoke, F. C., Okereke, F. O., & Ochibulu, S. C. (2025). Antimicrobial Peptides Insects: A Study on their Efficacy against Pathogens. IPS Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 5(1), 271–280. https://doi.org/10.54117/ijamb.v5i1.103

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Abstract

The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens poses a significant threat to global public health, necessitating the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. Insects, with their potent innate immune system, produce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that represent a promising reservoir of new therapeutic leads. This study evaluated the efficacy of AMPs derived from various insect species against enteric pathogens. Four eneteric pathogens were isolated and characterized using standard microbiological techniques: Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain G5295, Escherichia coli strain 7784, Shigella dysenteriae strain 1617, and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis strain EC20121765. The antimicrobial activities of the peptides were determined using the agar well diffusion method. The results of this study showed that the AMPs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against all pathogens, with the most pronounced effects against Escherichia coli strain 7784 (p < 0.05). The diameter zones of inhibition ranged from 10-25 mm, indicating potent antimicrobial activity. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in the antimicrobial activity of the AMPs against the different pathogens (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates the potential of insect-derived AMPs as novel antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic applications of these peptides.

Author Biographies

M. A. Idigo, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

I. H. Iheukwumere, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

C. M. Iheukwumere, Department of Applied Microbiology & Brewing, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria.

B. C. Nnaeze, Department of Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.

C. J. Akulue, Department of Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.

N. E. Nwakoby, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Nigeria.

J. N. Ezendianefor, Department of Microbiology, Tansian Universiy, Umunya, Anambra State, Nigeria.

V. E. Ike, Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria.

A. O. Nnaedozie, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Nigeria.

S. N. Ezekwueche, Department of Microbiology, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State, Nigeria.

I. S. Anagor, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.

C. C. Aniekwe, Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

F. C. Ezeoke, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

F. O. Okereke, Department of Biological Sciences (Microbiology), Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Spiritan University, Nneochi, Abia State, Nigeria.

S. C. Ochibulu, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Nigeria.

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Copyright (c) 2025 M. A. Idigo, I. H. Iheukwumere, C. M. Iheukwumere, B. C. Nnaeze, C. J. Akulue, N. E. Nwakoby, J. N. Ezendianefor, V. E. Ike, A. O. Nnaedozie, S. N. Ezekwueche, I. S. Anagor, C. C. Aniekwe, F. C. Ezeoke, F. O. Okereke, S. C. Ochibulu

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