Effects of trace elements and mucin on viability of pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Main Author: Ling, Qiu Ru
• Other Authors: Kevin Pethe
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/68932
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for its innate drug resistance as well as its ability to thrive on minimal nutrients. To make treatments even more challenging, this bacteria is constantly undergoing mutations to develop resistance against new drugs. In order for treatments to be more effective, any possible factors that may reduce drug potency must be eradicated. Following previous research on exogenous casamino acids, this study aims to identify the effects of trace elements and mucin on the viability of P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa was first cultured in 4 different media; with mucin, with trace elements, with both mucin and trace elements and without both nutrients. Presence of either mucin or trace elements in the media was able to amplify the bacteria's growth. Subsequently, potency of oxythiamine was tested in the same 4 media and results showed that mucin and trace elements had reduced the potency of the drug. However, it was observed in all experiments that the addition of both nutrients did not result in any additive effects. With greater understanding on the relationship between exogenous nutrients and drug potency, there can be better customisation of treatments for P. aeruginosa.