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Bioactivity of olive leaf (Olea europaea L.) extracts and its phenolic compounds on a biofilm-forming pathogen
World Congress and Expo on Applied Microbiology
August 18-20, 2015 Frankfurt, Germany

Wern Chern Chai, Heather Rickard and Rietie Venter

University of South Australia, Australia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Microb Biochem Technol

Abstract:

Antibiotic resistance has been increasing drastically over the years despite efforts against unnecessary use of antibiotics. The ability of cells to form drug resistant biofilms, a complex architecture of cells encased in an extracellular polymeric matrix, is one of the many reasons for the failure of antibacterial treatment. A classic example is the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa which forms biofilms on medical devices and living tissues, which is intrinsically resistant against a wide range of antibiotics. P. aeruginosa release virulence factors such as pyocyanin, pyochelin and pyoverdine which contributes to tissue damage. We previously showed that olive leaf extract has anti-microbial activity against Gram-positive microorganisms, including that of MRSA. The important secoiridoids found in olive leaf such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and verbascoside could play a role in the anti-microbial activity of olive leaf extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of olive leaf extracts and its phenolic compounds on planktonic cell growth, biofilm formation and excretion of cellular virulence factors of P. aeruginosa. The effect of the extracts and its phenolic compounds on bacterial motility, which is an indication of virulence, was also investigated. Given the growing concerns of antibiotic resistance, it is imperative that new therapies are developed. While the discovery of antibiotics have been considered a wonder of the century; the real wonder are the extraordinary genetic capacities these microorganisms has. Hence this study may suggest that harnessing of plant-derived agent for use as alternative therapy to promote interventions by addressing the crisis of biofilm-induced antibiotic resistance.

Biography :

Wern Chern Chai has completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) at the University of South Australia. He is currently practicing as a Pharmacist (provisional registration) in Adelaide. This research, submitted to the University of South Australia for the BPharm (Hons) award was supervised by two highly regarded microbiologists, Dr. Heather Rickard and Dr. Rietie Venter. His research interests include clinical and applied microbiology, complementary medicines and its microbiological use, pharmacology and quality use of medicines. Under the provision of a scholarship, he is currently undertaking an external research at the University of South Australia and Royal Adelaide Hospital looking at quality use of medicines in patients on statins (drugs used for management of high cholesterol levels).