Life Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Potential Of Endophytes And Medicinal Plants As Sources Of Antimicrobials To Control Citrus Greening, Jessica Dominguez

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Citrus greening is an economically disastrous bacterial disease that infects all species of citrus, and currently has no cure. It is caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), an unculturable phloem-limited bacteria vectored by the sap-sucking insect Diaphorina citri. Citrus greening has spread to every citrus-producing county in Florida; thus, there is a crucial need to develop environmentally safe treatments to reduce or eliminate CLas. It was hypothesized that endophytic microorganisms isolated from survivor citrus trees would show antagonistic activity against CLas; also, that plant extracts with known antimicrobial properties could suppress CLas. Oregano, thyme and turmeric extracts in the …

Screening Of Crude Microalgal Extracts For Antimicrobial Activity, Patrick Matulich

Theses & Dissertations

Microbial biofilm associated infections are a significant threat to patients with medical devices and are partially responsible for the increased resistance seen in nosocomial infections. The biofilm chemical and physical properties restrict access of chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the antimicrobial effects of current chemotherapeutic agents. Microalgae live in competitive environments that include film-forming, opportunistic pathogens S. maltophilia and C. albicans. Extracts from 5 diverse species of microalgae were screened for antimicrobial enhancing effects against established biofilms with two different extraction solvents, 3:1 hexanes and isopropyl (HIPA) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF).

Three species, B. braunii, …