Extraction, Separation, and Synthesis of Plant-derived Antimicrobial Compounds

Pathogenic bacterial and fungal infections are some of the leading causes of death in the population at large. Due to the ever-growing prevalence of drug-resistant “superbugs” and the lack of new antimicrobial drugs, there is a need to explore new and alternative pathways for fighting these diseases. Through a collaborative project, we previously explored extracts of the Argemone mexicana plant and isolated three antimicrobial agents found within. We are now exploring a number of new molecules which are variants of those found in the A.mexicana plant. Additionally, we have recently begun investigating alternative plant extracts, and have been separating these extracts in the hopes of identifying molecules responsible for these newer plants' antimicrobial activity.