Antimicrobial potential of microalgae: use of biotechnology for the development of new bacterial control agents

• Grant number: 24/18435-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marita Vedovelli Cardozo
• Grantee: Beatriz Fernandes Siqueira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

With the increase in the world population, the demand for animal-based food has led to a more frequent use of antimicrobials as growth promoters in production. However, the use of these drugs has exacerbated the problem of bacterial resistance, making infection treatment much more difficult. In response to this issue, the agricultural sector has sought new alternatives, such as biotechnological products with antimicrobial potential. Among these biotechnological tools, the use of microalgae plays a fundamental role as agents controlling bacterial infections, being a sustainable and easily produced compound. Based on this, the present study aims to evaluate the microalga Chlorella sp. as a potential antimicrobial agent for use in production systems. For this purpose, assays for antimicrobial activity measurement will be conducted, including Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and Time-killing curve tests. These antimicrobial activity assays will be conducted against 5 strains of microorganisms important for animal health: Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella Dublin, Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus agalactie. The results of this project will be of utmost importance in finding effective treatment methods for controlling microorganisms that can negatively impact animal production.