Isolation of lectin from Musa acuminata for evaluation of antibacterial activity against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the interaction of banana proteins with certain Enterococcus species

Abstract Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is an emerging pathogen posing a considerable burden on the healthcare system due to its involvement in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Lectins are carbohydrate binding proteins found ubiquitously in animals, plants and microorganisms. Extraction and isolation of proteins from Musa acuminata (banana) were performed by using Affinity chromatography with Sephadex G 75 to determine antibiofilm activity of banana proteins against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Enterococcus strains obtained from dairy products, beans and vegetables were also screened for its potential to inhibit growth and subsequently biofilm formation of MRSA by using 96 well microtitre plates. Synergistic effect of cell free supernatant of Enterococcus with proteins from ripe banana were also tested. BanLec was successfully isolated and appeared as 15 KDa band after SDS-PAGE (15%) while multiple bands of unbound protein fractions were observed. The unbound fractions showed inhibition of pathogenic growth and biofilm but BanLec exhibited no significant effect. All the identified Enterococcus strains showed inhibition of biofilm as well as of planktonic cells. The CFS of Enterococcus faecium (LCM002), Enterococcus lactis (LCM003) and Enterococcus durans (LCM004 and LCM005) displayed antagonistic effects against pathogen. The synergistic effect of CFS from E. lactis (LCM003) and unbound proteins showed inhibition of biofilm and reduction in pathogenic growth. This study demonstrates the use of Enterococcus species and plant proteins with several variations in treatment of MRSA biofilm. Results suggested that plant proteins and probiotics with its constituent inhibit resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and their synergistic effect has opened new ways to tackle emerging resistance of pathogens and to treat severe skin infections furthermore after assessment of Enterococcus as probiotics, this could be used in food industries as well.