Prospecting for New Antibiotics: Extracting and Cultivating Fungi from Globally Sourced Beans

Abstract

Introduction: One of the greatest health threats to society is the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. There are many on-going research efforts to find new antibiotics that can overcome bacterial resistance. Our research has uncovered a novel method for discovering new anti-biotics and streamlining current prospecting methods. We discovered that beans sourced from various geographic locations contain residual fungus that can be cultivated and screened for anti-biotic properties. In the present report we sourced beans from global locations and cultivated fungal pellets from beans by confining them in a new form of Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP); Hybrid-Plasma (HP). Methods: The agar plate method was used to evaluate fungal growth for antibacterial properties. The fungus from each of the fungal pellets was collected and sub-cultured in a glass tube with liquid growth media. Bacterial lawns of Staphlococcus. aureus and Eschericia coli grown on tryptic soy agar media plates were prepared and the fungal growth enrichment added to the plate to test for areas of growth inhibition. Results: Testing confirmed measurable zones of inhibition in the agar plates that contained Staphcoccus aureus for 3 of the 4 beans tested. There was no effect on the plates with Eschericia coli. Conclusion: These new methods for producing fungi from various geographic locations is more efficient for discovering and developing of new antibiotics.