International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences |
ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 9 (2013) pp. 310-315 |
Investigating the use of Enaphalodes rufulus (red oak borer) as an antimicrobial agent |
Victoria Robinson1
, Chris Reeves1*
, Keesoo Lee2
, Swaminathan Palanisami2
, Baskar Balakrishnan2
and Paul Ki-souk Nam 3 |
1Camdenton High School, Lake of the Ozarks, Camdenton R-III School District, Camdenton, MO 65020, United States 2Center for Bioenergy, Cooperative Research, Lincoln University in Missouri, Jefferson City, MO 65101, United States 3Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, United States *Corresponding author e-mail: creeves@camdentonschools.org |
ABSTRACT |
Enaphalodes rufulus (red oak borer) are insects that dwell within the bark of Red Oak trees and cause the indwelled trees to die. The relatively warm, moist environment in which they live is a perfect environment for bacteria to grow as well. It was hypothesized that in order for these insects to survive in such
conditions, they must possess antimicrobial resistance. This antimicrobial resistance in insects has been shown to inhibit other types of bacteria, which often
cause many health problems for humans. It was decided to apply this concept in
researching the Enaphalodes rufulus as a potential inhibitor. The inhibiting nature of the bacteria from these insects was determined based on the Kirby-Brauer Disc Diffusion Method and the cross-streaking method. Results show that these insects do not possess inhibiting properties; however, the bacteria of the Red Oak borers adapted and grew along with the tester strains. Further investigation could lead to
the development of an antibiotic using Quorum signaling to create a Quorum
quenching mechanism. |
Keywords |
Antibacterial; Enaphalodes rufulus; Red Oak Borer; Kirby-Brauer Disc Diffusion method; cross-streaking method. |