Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Grade 12

Keywords

Bioluminescent bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Gazza minuta

Abstract

Antibacterial resistance has increased in numerous bacteria for the past decade, prompting scientists to find new sources of antibacterial sources. Marine bioluminescent bacteria from ponyfishes, particularly Gazza minuta has been proven to have bioactive compounds that can inhibit pathogens. However, research on the antibacterial potential of bioluminescent bacteria from Gazza minuta against gram-positive bacteria remains to be limited. This research aims to determine the potential inhibitory activity of bioluminescent bacteria from Gazza minuta against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Enterococcus faecalis using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay. Four treatments were tested: the bioluminescent bacteria supernatant, saline solution (negative control), ethyl acetate (negative control), and antibiotic disks (positive control). The results of the study showed that the bioluminescent bacteria supernatant created zone of inhibitions like that of the negative control. This means that the bioluminescent bacteria supernatant does not have inhibitory activity. These results suggest that the specific strain of bioluminescent bacteria cultured may not have the ability to produce antimicrobial compounds under the tested conditions. Factors which may have limited metabolite production include strain specificity, host–bacteria interactions, and lack of ideal symbiotic or environmental cues. This research emphasizes the importance of improving the culture conditions and using molecular identification methods in future studies to address the potential of marine bioluminescent bacteria as sources of new antimicrobial agents.

First Advisor

Ramgie M. Bartolata, LPT

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