Production and characterization of anti-bacterial metabolite(s) from Egyptian archaeological sites

Sci Rep. 2025 Jun 27;15(1):20328. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-06670-x.

Abstract

Antimicrobial agents produced by Xenorhabdus spp. may hold the answer to novel antimicrobial agents. Antibacterial activity of some bacterial strains isolated from different Egyptian archaeological sites was evaluated. The most potent organism that reported high antibacterial activity was identified as Xenorhabdus nematophila. The produced bioactive compound was identified as xenortide using LC-MS and NMR studies. Optimization of xenortide's production was assessed using a central composite statistical design. The most effective fermentation factors were identified as carbon, nitrogen source concentrations and pH levels. Nano-xenortide was synthesized using the ball milling method, followed by its characterization and evaluation for its anticipated antibacterial and anticancer properties. Statistical analysis of the findings indicated that the produced nano-xenortide exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy. Furthermore, the assessment of its cytotoxicity revealed that nano-xenortide is a promising, safe candidate that can be used as an antibacterial and anti-colorectal-carcinoma agent.

Keywords: Xenorhabdus nematophila; Antibacterial; Anticancer; Bioactive producer; Nano-xenortide; Optimization.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / metabolism
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Archaeology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Egypt
  • Fermentation
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Xenorhabdus* / isolation & purification
  • Xenorhabdus* / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents