NOVEL AGENT OF CONTROL

Assignment 2: Novel Agent of Control

In the present undertaking, I would be interested in in the design of a novel cleaning agent against Staphylococcus bacteria. More specifically, I would be targeting Staphylococcus aureus which has been associated with a wide range of infections including, but not limited to, soft tissue and skin infections (i.e. furuncles and abscesses). Its cell envelope, as Wang, Buist, and Dijl (2022) observe is composed of a cytoplasmic membrane that is surrounded by a thick layer of peptidoglycan (89). The potential target within the staph aureus bacteria would be its cell structure - more specifically, the disruption of its cell membrane.

One chemical compound that could come in handy in efforts to disrupt the staph aureus bacteria cell membrane is hydrogen peroxide. More specifically, this particular compound, as Anderson, Groundwter, Todd, and Worsley (2012) indicate has been shown to cause disturbances in the structure and permeability of the cell wall, the cytoplasmic membrane, as well as to induce ribosomal lesions and the ruptures of bacterial DNA (119). Towards this end, I am confident that it has the capability to destroy the cell structure of staph aureus bacteria. Based on its status as a reactive oxygen species, 3% hydrogen peroxide would be ideal. Enany and Alexander (2017) also indicates that the compound can downregulate the genes that take part in pyrimidine biosynthesis. For this reason, I am confident that this compound would have a negative effect on staph aureus bacteria growth.

The cleanser will in this case be classified as a disinfectant spray. The key ingredients of the cleanser will, thus, be hydrogen peroxide (3%), distilled water, and essential oils (for an ideal scent).

References

Anderson, R., Groundwter, P.W., Todd, A. & Worsley, A. (2012). Antibacterial Agents: Chemistry, Mode of Action, Mechanisms of Resistance and Clinical Applications. John Wiley & Sons

Enany, S. & Alexander, L.E. (2017). Frontiers in Staphylococcus aureus. BoD.

Wang, M., Buist, G. & Dijl, J.M. (2022). Staphylococcus aureus cell wall maintenance the multifaceted roles of peptidoglycan hydrolases in bacterial growth, fitness, and virulence. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 46(5), 87-94.