Maple Syrup Extract May Make Antibiotics More Effective
Maple Syrup Extract May Make Antibiotics More Effective – Scientists at McGill University say that when combined with maple syrup extract, antibiotics are more effective in destroying antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The concentrated maple syrup extract contains mainly phenolic compounds, which have powerful antioxidant properties. Phenolic compounds play an important role in the growth and reproduction of plants, and are produced as a defensive response in plants when attacked by pathogens. Overuse of antibiotics have resulted in bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, essentially becoming “superbugs,” which cause over 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths in the US every year.
Prof. Nathalie Tufenkji’s research team in McGill’s Department of Chemical Engineering, first tested the maple syrup extract by itself on bacteria such as E.Coli, and Proteus mirabilis, which causes urinary tract infection, and found that it was only mildly effective in destroying the bacteria. But when combined with antibiotics, it was more effective, and was able to destroy resistant bacteria known as “biofilm” common in catheter-related urinary tract infections.
According to Tufkenji, the results show the potential for maple syrup being incorporated into antibiotics, and increasing the efficacy of antibiotics on bacteria – thus reducing antibiotic usage.
The study results will be published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Category: News
