The search for a solution to antimicrobial resistance found something. And researchers found it in a true “it’s always the last place you look” location.
Australian oysters. Or more specifically, Australian oyster blood.
We know antimicrobial resistance claims at least 1 million lives each year, and experts suspect that number to double by 2050. To that end, a team of scientists in Australia set out to explore antibiotic alternatives by observing the antibacterial activity of a semi-purified hemolymph protein extract (HPE) from the Sydney rock oyster or Saccostrea glomerata. Their findings were published in PLOS One.
Why Oysters?
It begins with antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPPs) — among the most promising pharmacological leads in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
This research team had already…