Class
Article
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty Mentor
Amita Kaundal
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Many plants and fungi secrete substances to adjust their environment to be more favorable to their needs. These secondary metabolites include chemicals emitted to kill other plants or microbes that would otherwise endanger or compete with the original plant. One such example is that of penicillin—extracted from a mold by Alexander Fleming in the 1920s. Fleming found that the growth of staphylococci, a bacterium, which shared the plate with the mold was inhibited. Penicillin, a secondary metabolite created by the mold, quickly became a well-known and useful antimicrobial agent and an ingredient in many drugs. Aspirin has a similar, if more ancient, story, originating from the willow plant. The ease of producing a natural drug such as this is part of the appeal. Artemisia tridentata, also known as “Big Sagebrush,” is very prevalent in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States and is rumored to have antimicrobial capabilities. Very little research has been done on the antimicrobial properties of Artemisia tridentata. Previous studies have revealed that chemicals released by the leaves and branches of A. tridentata have shown clear effects on bacteria native to deer rumen and other tested strains (Nagy et al.). One article addressed the rhizosphere of A. tridentata. This article found that 27 actinomycete (fungi-like anaerobic bacteria that form colonies) strains found in the rhizosphere of A. tridentata showed antibacterial activities when tested on E. coli, B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (Basil et al.). Another study analyzed Native American use of A. tridentata and found it to be traditionally used to relieve stomach pain, colds and coughs, sore eyes, snake bites and as an insect repellent (Kelley, B., 1992). The researcher found several compounds – specifically monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, coumarins and flavonoids to be the key elements in the practical properties of many plants. Artemisinin, a famous antimalaria drug, has been isolated from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua, which belongs to the same genus as A. tridentata (Klayman, 1985). Recent studies show that artemisinin also has anti-cancer properties (Konstat-Korzenny et al., 2018). Other research has indicated that lipids are common antimicrobial compounds found in other members of the Artemisia family (Hussein et al., 2018). This leaves much to be discovered, especially with regards to chemicals released by A. tridentata itself. Besides, the most recent relevant article was published in 2004 (Basil et al., 2004). This leaves a sizable chronological gap and considering the huge leap that biological and molecular technology has taken in recent years, we predict that knowledge in this field lies largely untapped.We have done extensive screening of the antimicrobial activity of different sagebrush tissues against E. coli Dh5α, P. syringae pv DC3000 and pv tabaci, B. subtilis, as well as against Agrobacterium tumefaciens and have seen that A. tridentata is effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. We have completed HP-LC analysis of the plant tissues and are currently separating compounds within the plant through MIC testing. The applications of this research could be substantial. Medicinal plants provide a healthy, natural alternative to conventional medication, and may lead to new insights on antibiotics and pharmaceuticals in general. In addition, A. tridentata is a plant native to Utah and Idaho. There are huge quantities of the plant in the surrounding area, making it easy to find and inexpensive to produce. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/87115208381?pwd=NVZiTjZ4Y1l1QnVwNDMzWmUydE9lZz09
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-11-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
Communication Commons, Life Sciences Commons, Philosophy Commons
Antimicrobial Activity of Artemisia tridentata
Logan, UT
Many plants and fungi secrete substances to adjust their environment to be more favorable to their needs. These secondary metabolites include chemicals emitted to kill other plants or microbes that would otherwise endanger or compete with the original plant. One such example is that of penicillin—extracted from a mold by Alexander Fleming in the 1920s. Fleming found that the growth of staphylococci, a bacterium, which shared the plate with the mold was inhibited. Penicillin, a secondary metabolite created by the mold, quickly became a well-known and useful antimicrobial agent and an ingredient in many drugs. Aspirin has a similar, if more ancient, story, originating from the willow plant. The ease of producing a natural drug such as this is part of the appeal. Artemisia tridentata, also known as “Big Sagebrush,” is very prevalent in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States and is rumored to have antimicrobial capabilities. Very little research has been done on the antimicrobial properties of Artemisia tridentata. Previous studies have revealed that chemicals released by the leaves and branches of A. tridentata have shown clear effects on bacteria native to deer rumen and other tested strains (Nagy et al.). One article addressed the rhizosphere of A. tridentata. This article found that 27 actinomycete (fungi-like anaerobic bacteria that form colonies) strains found in the rhizosphere of A. tridentata showed antibacterial activities when tested on E. coli, B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (Basil et al.). Another study analyzed Native American use of A. tridentata and found it to be traditionally used to relieve stomach pain, colds and coughs, sore eyes, snake bites and as an insect repellent (Kelley, B., 1992). The researcher found several compounds – specifically monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, coumarins and flavonoids to be the key elements in the practical properties of many plants. Artemisinin, a famous antimalaria drug, has been isolated from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua, which belongs to the same genus as A. tridentata (Klayman, 1985). Recent studies show that artemisinin also has anti-cancer properties (Konstat-Korzenny et al., 2018). Other research has indicated that lipids are common antimicrobial compounds found in other members of the Artemisia family (Hussein et al., 2018). This leaves much to be discovered, especially with regards to chemicals released by A. tridentata itself. Besides, the most recent relevant article was published in 2004 (Basil et al., 2004). This leaves a sizable chronological gap and considering the huge leap that biological and molecular technology has taken in recent years, we predict that knowledge in this field lies largely untapped.We have done extensive screening of the antimicrobial activity of different sagebrush tissues against E. coli Dh5α, P. syringae pv DC3000 and pv tabaci, B. subtilis, as well as against Agrobacterium tumefaciens and have seen that A. tridentata is effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. We have completed HP-LC analysis of the plant tissues and are currently separating compounds within the plant through MIC testing. The applications of this research could be substantial. Medicinal plants provide a healthy, natural alternative to conventional medication, and may lead to new insights on antibiotics and pharmaceuticals in general. In addition, A. tridentata is a plant native to Utah and Idaho. There are huge quantities of the plant in the surrounding area, making it easy to find and inexpensive to produce. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/87115208381?pwd=NVZiTjZ4Y1l1QnVwNDMzWmUydE9lZz09