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Insect Brains 'Are Source of Antibiotics' to Fight MRSA
from BBC News Online
Cockroaches, far from being a health hazard, could be a rich source of antibiotics. A study of locust and cockroach brains has found a number of chemicals which can kill bugs like MRSA.
Scientists hope these could become a powerful new weapon to boost the dwindling arsenal of antibiotics used to treat severe bacterial infections. The research was announced at a meeting of the Society for General Microbiology.
The researchers discovered nine different chemicals in the brains of locusts and cockroaches, which all had antimicrobrial properties strong enough to kill 90% of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) while not harming human cells.
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