Abstract
Pigmentation in avian eggshells appears to be associated with shell strength, temperature regulation, and camouflage. The pigments found in eggshells are mainly porphyrins, which have been utilized therapeutically as photosensitizers. Here, we examined the photoinactivation of gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis) by hen eggshells and their pigments. The results indicated that eggshells have a light-dependent antimicrobial activity against gram-positive, but not gram-negative, bacteria. Our results indicate the possibility that the natural pigments used therapeutically have evolved in nature as a defence system.
Copyright 2009 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
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Bacillus cereus / drug effects
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Bacillus cereus / radiation effects
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Biliverdine / pharmacology
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Chickens
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Egg Shell / chemistry*
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Escherichia coli / drug effects
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Escherichia coli / radiation effects
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Female
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / radiation effects
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / radiation effects
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Light*
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Microbial Viability / drug effects
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Microbial Viability / radiation effects
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Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
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Porphyrins / pharmacology*
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Protoporphyrins / pharmacology
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Salmonella enteritidis / drug effects
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Salmonella enteritidis / radiation effects
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Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
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Staphylococcus aureus / radiation effects
Substances
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Anti-Infective Agents
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Photosensitizing Agents
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Porphyrins
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Protoporphyrins
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zinc protoporphyrin
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protoporphyrin IX
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Biliverdine