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Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi
2025 , Vol 31 , Issue 1
From Deadly to Life-Saving Effects: Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effects of Tarantula cubensis Extract on Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens
1Kutahya Health Sciences University, Vocational School of Tavsanlı Health Services, Medical Services and Techniques Department, TR-43300 Kütahya - TÜRKİYE
DOI :
10.9775/kvfd.2024.32854
Every year, many people around the world lose their lives due to antibiotic resistance
therapy. These resistances pose serious health threats to both individuals and societies,
making even simple services difficult to treat. Antibiotic resistance not only affects
medical practices, but also causes a huge economic burden on health systems. In this
study, Tarantula cubensis spider venom was investigated to produce new antimicrobial
agents effective against Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria and Candida species.
Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of T. cubensis extract against microorganisms
were tested using minimum inhibition, resazurin and time killing curve methods. MIC
values of T. cubensis extract were determined as 14.3-0.45 mg/mL by broth dilution
method and 14.3-3.58 mg/mL by resazurin method for the investigated pathogens.
Time-kill curve studies confirmed the growth retardant, bacteriostatic/ fungistatic and
bactericidal/ fungicidal activity of T. cubensis extract. Antibiofilm studies also showed
that T. cubensis extract significantly inhibited and blocked biofilm formed by pathogens
(melittin 8-82%, apamin 1.8-78%). T. cubensis was effective in inhibiting biofilm
formation (from 99.98% to 75.68%) and eradicating biofilm (from 32.97% to 4.67%) at
the highest concentration. T. cubensis extract was found to have high antibacterial and
antibiofilm properties. Such natural poisons offer a promising and powerful solution
to control microbial populations, combat pathogens, and protect human and animal
health.
Keywords :
Tarantula cubensis, Theranekron, Antimicrobial activity, Antibiofilm activity, Time-killing curves