Oysters probed for vital use
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Scientists say oyster blood could help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Research from Southern Cross University, published in the journal PLOS ONE, reveals that proteins in the blood of Sydney Rock Oysters can enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics in tackling drug-resistant bacteria linked to respiratory infections.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global crisis, projected to claim as many as 40 million lives annually by 2050.
The overuse of antibiotics has accelerated the rise of superbugs, creating an urgent need for innovative treatments.
Researchers are now turning to nature for answers, and oysters may hold unexpected solutions.
“Oysters are constantly filtering bacteria from the water, so they are a good place to look for potential antibiotics,”Professor Kirsten Benkendorff says.
The study found that hemolymph, a component of oyster blood, contains a mix of antimicrobial proteins that not only kill bacteria but also prevent biofilms from forming.
Biofilms act as protective shields for bacteria, making them harder to eliminate with standard antibiotics.
Importantly, the study demonstrated that combining these proteins with conventional antibiotics could make the drugs up to 32 times more effective, particularly against bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes illnesses such as pneumonia and tonsillitis.
Encouragingly, the proteins were also shown to be non-toxic to human lung cells, even at high concentrations, suggesting their potential for safe therapeutic use.
Researchers said this discovery could lead to treatments that reduce the need for high doses of antibiotics, addressing the dual challenges of drug resistance and toxicity.
Historically, oysters have been used in traditional remedies for respiratory ailments, and this study lends scientific credibility to those practices.
The hemolymph proteins were shown to work in several ways, disrupting bacterial defences and enhancing the reach of antibiotics.
The research also highlighted the potential for collaboration between the pharmaceutical and aquaculture industries.
Sydney Rock Oysters are already farmed on a commercial scale in Australia, making them a sustainable and accessible source for developing these promising compounds. The process could even add value to aquaculture by utilising oysters unsuitable for the food market, further supporting the industry.
While these findings are promising, the researchers estimate that it will take another five to eight years of development before oyster-based treatments are ready for clinical use.
