Turmeric and rhubarb compounds fight superb bacteria in sewage

Scientists have found that curcumin from turmeric and bumblebee can effectively combat the latent antibiotic bacteria in submersible treatment plants.

The study, conducted at Utah State University, found that multiple strains of “superbacterial” bacteria in sewage, which even resisted the last part of antibiotics such as colistin, has also raised concerns about the public health risks of contaminated water sources.

The study isolated nine different strains of antibiotic-resistant bacterial bacteria from wastewater treatment plants in Logan, Utah. One strain showed resistance to all eight antibiotics tested, while others were resistant to six or more drug classes. These bacteria may transfer drug-resistant genes to more dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, posing a new threat to human health.

Hidden library of resistance

“Wastewater can serve as a breeding ground for ‘superbacterial bacteria’, and the study may enter water resources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, posing a potential risk to public health,” explained the study’s senior author.

Identified bacteria (including microbacteria, Asteraceae, lactic acid bacteria and gut bacteria species) are usually not dangerous to healthy people. However, they pose two significant risks: They may cause infection in immune-deficient patients and can act as a genetic reservoir that transfers drug-resistant genes to more dangerous bacteria.

Genome-wide analysis reveals resistance mechanism

Using late whole genome sequencing, the researchers identified specific genes responsible for antibiotic resistance in four selected strains. The analysis showed various mechanisms of resistance, including beta-lactamase that breaks down antibiotics, efflux pumps that drain drugs from cells, and modified target proteins that reduce antibiotic binding.

A particularly worrying finding is the presence of the Sul3 gene in all tested strains, which confers resistance to sulfonamide antibiotics. This gene is often associated with human-derived sources, indicating direct contamination of medical waste and human excrement.

Natural compounds show commitment

The team tested 11 natural compounds derived from plants and microorganisms that were resistant to drugs. The most effective ones are:

• Curcumin (from turmeric) – inhibition of growth and biofilm formation by a variety of strains
• EMODIN (from rhubarb) – Broad spectrum activity on cell growth and biofilm
• Quercetin (from onions and apples) – Selective efficacy against certain strains
• Chloroflua protein – Shows growth inhibitory effects of specific bacterial types

These compounds play a role in destroying bacterial cell membranes, interfering with DNA synthesis and preventing biofilm formation (protective layers that help bacteria survive harsh diseases and resist treatment).

Gram-negative bacteria proof

A key limitation emerged during the testing process: Gram-negative bacteria (such as Asteraceae) exhibited complete resistance to all natural compounds tested. This resistance may be derived from their unique outer membrane structure, creating additional obstacles to antibacterial agents.

One detail not highlighted in the press release: The researchers had to exclude a strain (U7) from the exercise test because it showed strong resistance to natural compounds. This finding highlights the particular challenge of controlling Gram-negative antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wastewater environments.

Environmental and clinical significance

The discovery of anti-tisin bacteria in wastewater is particularly shocking. Colon protein is a “last-hand” antibiotic used to treat multidrug-resistant infections. The fact that environmental bacteria develop resistance to this critical drug suggests that the drug resistance mechanism spreads more widely than before.

Huo stressed that although these bacterial species are not traditionally classified as high priority clinical pathogens, “some are opportunistic pathogens associated with infection, such as pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. These bacteria may also act as environmental reservoirs, using them as other related resistance genes clinically relevant, including other resistance genes.”

This study provides a framework for the development of new wastewater treatment strategies using natural compounds. However, before these findings are practically applied, significant challenges still exist, including testing effectiveness in complex wastewater environments and the expansion from laboratory to industrial applications.

The study appears at the boundaries of the field of microbiology, representing the first comprehensive analysis of using whole-genome sequencing to understand antibiotic resistance in environmental bacteria, and a systematic test of natural antimicrobial compounds.

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