In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Snake Venom, Naja naja from Bangladesh

Abstract

Aim: Snake venom is a source of antimicrobial peptides. Composition as well as activities of venom may vary based on geographic region and notably the antimicrobial activity of the venom of Naja naja from Bangladesh has not yet been tested. Thus, in this study, investigated the antibacterial activity of the venom of snake Naja naja from Bangladesh against two bacterial strains. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in protein science laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, between July 2012 to December 2012. Methods: Luria agar medium was used to culture the E. coli and B. thuringiensis strains of bacteria. Disc diffusion method was used to carry out the test of antibacterial sensitivity. Discs prepared by Whatman No. 1 filter paper were soaked with different doses (25, 50, 75 and 100 µg) of crude venom and placed on the cultured bacterial plates along with two standard antimicrobial antibiotic discs. After overnight incubation at 37ºC, antibacterial activity of venom was measured by inhibition zone observed around the discs in the plates. Results: Application of 75 and 100 µg of crude venom showed antibacterial activity against E. coli, whereas only 100 µg crude venom showed little antibacterial activity against B. thuringiensis. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the crude venom of Naja naja may contain some proteins responsible for antibacterial activity and the quantity of antibacterial peptides might be lower in venom than other components.