Antimicrobial lectin fromSchinus terebinthifoliusleaf

Abstract

Aims: Schinus terebinthifolius leaves are used for treating human diseases caused by micro-organisms. This work reports the isolation, characterization and antimicrobial activity of S. terebinthifolius leaf lectin (SteLL). Methods and Results: The isolation procedure involved protein extraction with 0Á15 mol l À1 NaCl, filtration through activated charcoal and chromatography of the filtrate on a chitin column. SteLL is a 14-kDa glycopeptide with haemagglutinating activity that is inhibited by N-acetylglucosamine, not affected by ions (Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ) and stable upon heating (30-100°C) as well as over the pH 5Á0-8Á0. The antimicrobial effect of SteLL was evaluated by determining the minimal inhibitory (MIC), bactericide (MBC) and fungicide (MFC) concentrations. Lectin was active against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Highest bacteriostatic and bactericide effects were detected for Salm. enteritidis (MIC: 0Á45 lg ml À1 ) and Staph. aureus (MBC: 7Á18 lg ml À1 ), respectively. SteLL impaired the growth (MIC: 6Á5 lg ml À1 ) and survival (MFC: 26 lg ml À1 ) of Candida albicans.Conclusions: SteLL, a chitin-binding lectin, purified in milligram quantities, showed antimicrobial activity against medically important bacteria and fungi. Significance and Impact of the Study: SteLL can be considered as a new biomaterial for potential antimicrobial applications.

Antibacterial and Hemolytic Activity of a new Lectin Purified from the Seeds of Sterculia Foetida L.

“…3a); however, the activity decreased when exposed to temperatures of 90°C or higher. These data corroborate those found for the lectin isolated from leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius which also remained stable at elevated temperatures [33]. The thermal stability of SFL may be explained by the fact that it has disulfide bonds in its structure; covalent bonds are stronger, and able to withstand higher temperatures.…”

“…The lectin isolated from Eugenia uniflora seeds also strongly inhibited the growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with an MIC of 1.5 mg/mL [38]. Similar data were found by Gomes et al [33]. Lectin isolated from the leaves of Schinus Terebinthifolius (red pepper tree) was able to inhibit the growth of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis.…”

Purification, characterization and antibacterial potential of a lectin isolated from Apuleia leiocarpa seeds

“…They also have shown immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hypotensive, insecticidal, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial activities [13,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The antimicrobial activity of lectins may result from their ability to interact with carbohydrates on the cell surface of microbes.…”

“…The antimicrobial activity of lectins may result from their ability to interact with carbohydrates on the cell surface of microbes. Antibacterial lectins can interact with bacterial cell wall components such as Nacetylglucosamine, N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc), tetrapeptides linked to MurNAc, and lipopolysaccharides [19].…”

A Chitin-binding Protein Purified from Moringa oleifera Seeds Presents Anticandidal Activity by Increasing Cell Membrane Permeability and Reactive Oxygen Species Production

“…In literature, there are some reports on the antifungal effect of CBP against phytopathogenic fungi (Wang et al, 2012; Batista et al, 2014; Freitas C. D. et al, 2016), as well as against Candida spp. (Bertini et al, 2012; Gomes et al, 2012; Berthelot et al, 2016). Therefore, CBP are promising agents that have the potential to be used as antifungal compounds.…”