Insights
UJ RESEARCHERS DISCOVER NEW BACTERIAL SPECIES WITH HEALTHCARE POTENTIAL IN SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICINAL PLANT
Researchers from UJ have discovered a new bacterial species living inside an African medicinal plant, which may be found to have healthcare applications in future. Prof Mahloro Serepa-Dlamini headed the team that isolated and identified the Bacillus dicomae sp. nov. species living inside an indigenous medicinal sub-Saharan plant, Dicoma anomala. She is the Head of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology at UJ. The discovery was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The Dicoma anomala plant is one of the commonly used medicinal plants in the southern African region. It is also known as the fever bush. Traditionally it is used for treatment of diabetes mellitus by a cultural group in South Africa. It has also been researched by others for possible application against malaria. The novel bacterial species the UJ researchers discovered, belongs to a group of bacteria (Bacillus cereus) with characteristics such as surviving heat, causing food poisoning, and causing pneumonia and heart disease in medical settings. Bacillus cereus bacteria are also commonly found in soil, the ocean, vegetables, meat and dairy products. Some of the Bacillus cereus group members have benefits in drug development, food production, use as probiotics and as biopesticides. However, when Bacillus cereus bacteria live inside a plant as endophytes, they help to protect the plant, and boost its growth without harming the environment. Endophytes are involved in the manufacture of the active ingredients inside medicinal plants. The research team previously engaged with native South Africans who use the plant for tooth ache, diarrhoea, colic, and intestinal worms. That piqued their interest, said Prof Serepa-Dlamini. “The plant has various uses across different ethnic groups in South Africa. We wanted to see if we can find bacterial endophyte species living inside the plant – hoping that they manufacture some of the medicinal compounds found in the plant.” Their research is ongoing. Their work is now in a phase where they are exploring the biotechnological applications of Bacillus dicomae sp. nov. “We discovered”, adds Prof Serepa-Dlamini: “Novel bacterial species may possess unique biochemical properties, enzymes, or metabolites with potential applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals,
agriculture, food, and biotechnology. “These discoveries can lead to the development of new products and technologies, driving economic growth. “PhD student Ms Sephokoane Cindy Makuwa looked at the antimicrobial activity of the bacterium. Currently she’s assaying its spores for a formulation which can be used against pathogenic fungal species,” stated Prof Serepa-Dlamini. Bacillus dicomae sp. nov. species is the first novel bacterial species to be discovered and described by UJ researchers. THE RESEARCH TEAM PREVIOUSLY ENGAGED WITH NATIVE SOUTH AFRICANS WHO USE THE PLANT FOR TOOTH ACHE, DIARRHOEA, COLIC, AND INTESTINAL WORMS. THAT PIQUED THEIR INTEREST, SAID PROF SEREPA-DLAMINI.
62
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online