Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Seminar
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Isolating A New Antimicrobial Peptide from Largemouth Bass
Sherona Sirkisoon
MS Candidate
UNCG
There is little known about the biochemistry of largemouth bass (Micropterus
salmoides), especially the antimicrobial properties that may be present in the outer
mucosal layer of the skin and gills as an initial defense against bacteria, protozoa and
fungi. Understanding the antimicrobial properties of the small antimicrobial peptides in
largemouth bass is important for the development of new antibiotics for potential use in
humans and for decreasing the mortality rates of largemouth bass handled in
recreational and tournament fishing, as well as those captured and released for studies
by state wildlife management agencies. The hypothesis of this study is that the skin
secretions and gills of largemouth bass contain a small peptide that prevents initial
infection from other microorganisms present in the environment. We have tested this
hypothesis with in vitro experiments by using disc diffusion assays on Escherichia coli
K12 and Bacillus subtilis 168 bacteria and a liquid growth assay using Staphylococcus
aureus to show that there is antimicrobial activity in the gills of largemouth bass.
1:00 p.m. Sullivan Science Building * Wachovia Lecture Hall (Room 201)