ABSTRACT
Toxins from spider venom Crossopriza lyoni were subjected to purify on a Sepharose CL-6B 200
column. These were investigated for its antibacterial and antifungal activity
against 13 infectious microbial pathogenic strains. Antimicrobial
susceptibility was determined by using paper disc diffusion and serial micro-dilution
assays. Triton X-100 (0.1%) proved to be a good solubilizing agent for
toxin/proteins. Higher protein solubilization was observed in the supernatant
than in the residue, except TCA. The elution pattern of purified and
homogenized sting glands displayed two major peaks at 280 nm. First one was
eluted in fraction no. 43 - 51 while second one after fraction no. 61 - 90.
From gel filtration chromatography total yield of protein obtained was 67.3%.
From comparison of gel chromatographs eluted toxins peptide molecular weight
was ranging from 6.2 - 64 kD. Toxin peptides have shown lower MIC values i.e. 7.5 - 15 μg/ml against K.
pneumoniae, E. coli, L. acidophilus, B. cereus;
against S. aureus and M.
luteus that the broad spectrum antibiotics i.e. tetracycline and ampicillin. In tests, larger inhibition zone
diameter was obtained in comparison to control. Diameter of inhibition zones
obtained in spider toxins at a concentration range of 197.12 - 0.96 g/ml for E. coli was 17.86 ± 0.21, Bacillus cereus 19.13 ± 0.21, L. acidophilus 16.83 ± 0.25, Micrococcus luteus 18.46 ± 0.17, S. aeurus 16.23 ± 0.19, Klebsiella pneumoniae 21.83 ± 0.16, Salmonella typhi 16.16 ± 0.21, Vibrio cholera 18.66 ± 0.21, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18.66 ± 0.21, Aspergillus niger 22.9 ± 0.24, Candida albicans 24.66 ± 0.28, Rhizopus stolonifer 21.1 ± 0.16. Spider
toxins generate cytotoxic effect on bacterial cells that results in heavy cell
death. No doubt spider toxins can be used as alternate of broad spectrum
antibiotics.