BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON SOME ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS

Abstract

In the present study, experiments were carried out to search for a new antimicrobial agent through investigating a variety of newly synthesized organic compounds against Gram­ positive and Gram-negative bacteria. From screening program for the biological activity of more than 100 synthesized heterocyclic compounds including cefadroxil, N-(4-pyridine­ acetimido)-cefadroxil (PCC) was substantially potent and exerting a pronounced antimicrobial activity against Gram­ positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results of this study clearly indicated that, electron micrographs of PCC treated S.aureus cells demonstrate the morphological changes in the bacterial cells. Moreover, PCC arrested the synthesis of S.aureus cell wajl as indicated by the accumulation of N-acetylglucosamine in the r' cytoplasm of the treated cells. The overall observed effect is a marked decrease in the intracellular macromolecules except the cellular lipid content. The resistance of S.aureus cells toward this compound is often due to the acquisition of plasmid.