Novel Cecropin-Like Peptides from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Gut: A Potential Solution against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

The rise of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) poses a significant threat to global health. Limited effective antibiotics and increasing resistance rates create an urgent need for novel therapeutics. There is a dearth of research on cecropin-like peptides from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus gut, which could potentially exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against MDR-PA, offering a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. This study aims to identify and characterize these peptides, evaluating their efficacy against MDR-PA. This study aimed to identify novel cecropin-like peptides from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus gut as potential alternatives to combat multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) infections. Three P. aeruginosa strains (LG03, F065, F076) were characterized using cultural, morphological, and molecular techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed 43.59% resistance to conventional antibiotics, with 70.59% exhibiting multi-drug resistance. Cecropin-like peptides were extracted and evaluated for inhibitory activity against MDR-PA isolates. Eluate 5 showed the highest inhibitory activity (17.00-21.50 mm inhibition zones). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in resistance patterns (p < 0.05) and inhibitory activity among eluates (p < 0.05). The study suggests cecropin-like peptides from R. ferrugineus gut may be a potential alternative or adjunct to conventional antibiotics against MDR-PA infections, warranting further investigation.