Photodynamic antimicrobial activity of avian eggshell pigments.
Pigmentation in avian eggshells appears to be associated with shell strength, temperature regulation, and camouflage. The pigments found in eggshells are mainly porphyrins, which have been utilized therapeutically as photosensitizers. Here, we examined the photoinactivation of gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis) by hen eggshells and their pigments. The results indicated that eggshells have a light-dependent antimicrobial activity against gram-positive, but not gram-negative, bacteria. Our results indicate the possibility that the natural pigments used therapeutically have evolved in nature as a defence system.
Ishikawa
Shin-ichi
S
Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan. ishikawa@vmas.kitasato-u.ac.jp
Suzuki
Kazuto
K
Fukuda
Eriko
E
Arihara
Keizo
K
Yamamoto
Yuji
Y
Mukai
Takao
T
Itoh
Makoto
M
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D001664:Biliverdine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002645:Chickens; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000737:chemistry*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; C028025:protoporphyrin IX; D001664:Biliverdine