Absolute Quantification of Protein Constituents and

Micropathogen Antagonism of Black Snakehead (Chanos

punctatus) Epidermal Mucus from Local Wetlands : in vitro
Fungistatic and Bacteriostatic Bioassays Against Saprotrophic
Fungi, Gram-positive and Gram Negative Bacterial Strains

Situation:
The ubiquity of synthetic antibiotics is unrivalled by any other type of
antibodies when it comes to medical usage since they can be easily engineered and
altered as to suit the type of pathogen it needs to eliminate. It stopped several
diseases , epidemics , and pathogens both macro and micro from affecting living
things , but it did not stop their evolution. A considerable number of pathogens ,
majority of which are the microbes , developed a new attribute of defense that pose
a very high threat among humanity – antibiotic resistance. This is when certain
pathogens , for example bacteria and fungi , are treated poorly and incorrectly,
these microorganisms strengthen their defences in different ways as to resist the
effects of the antibiotic that is being induced. For example , a bacteria speeds up its
protein synthesis to fortify the cell wall. And if the antibiotic fails to eliminate
these pathogens , they tend to remain at their current resistant state. Thus , a new
natural –derived antibiotic is needed.

Recently , enzymes are being the main component of the newly-developed

antibiotics due to the fact that their mechanism of action is different from synthetic
drugs. That is, by gaining entrance and access into the pathogen cell’s interior by
disturbing its protein synthesis and then disrupting the cell wall in a process called
lysis.

Several natural organisms are known to produce enzymes like the lysozyme
enzyme in a chicken egg albumen that is used in European countires as a main
component for antibacterials.However , Thus , a new natural –derived antibiotic is
needed.

Several natural organisms are known to produce enzymes like the

lysozyme enzyme in a chicken egg albumen that is used in European countires as a
main component for antibacterials. And in the past years , pathologists and
microbiologists have been studying the pathogen antagonism of naturally –derived
enzymes which resulted to the discovery of other effective enzymes ; the ficain ,
protease , and papain enzymes which are all proven effective against
micropathogens.

In local scenarios , there are several pests that result in the drastic decrease
of rice and kangkong production. These pests include the aquatic organisms that
may consume smaller fish fry , kangkong , and rice. Locally , there is only one
species of fish that is considered as the most economically threatening – the black
snakeheads. Thus , this study is conducted to scientifically assess and examine the
antimicrobial antagonism as well as the protein analysis of its epidermal mucus.

Discrepancies:
 Despite the broad spectrum of synthetic antibiotics that are available for
commercial and medical use, more and more human pathogens eventually became
resistant to these antibiotics. Thus, a new naturally derived antibiotic is needed.
 Since pests pose high threats in the economic production , a new potential use for
these pests must be discovered.
 Due to the high costs of antibiotics that are needed , a new alternative that is
relatively cheaper is needed.

Questions:
1. Is the epidermal mucus sample effective in inhibiting the bacteriogenesis of a Gram-
Positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus)?
2. Is the epidermal mucus sample effective in inhibiting the bacteriogenesis of a Gram-
Negative bacterium (Escherichia coli)?
3. Is the epidermal mucus sample effective in inhibiting the fungigenesis of
saprotrophic fungi?
4. Are proteins present in the fish mucus sample?
5. Are there significant differences between the efficacies of the fish mucus treatments
and their commercial antibiotic counterparts ; (insert antifungal) Gentamycin and
Ciprofloxacin ?
a. Is there a significant difference between the fungistatic activities of the fish mucus

sample and an antifungal cream against a saprotrophic mold?

b. Is there a significant difference between the fungistatic activities of the fish mucus

sample and the antibiotic Gentamycin against a gram-positive bacterial strain?

c. Is there a significant difference between the bactriostatic activities of the fish mucus

sample and the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin against a gram-negative bacterial strain?

6. Is there a significant difference between the needed cost in making the mucus-derived

antibiotic and two other commercial antibiotics ; Gentamycin and Ciprofloxacin?