Antibacterial Activity Test of Maggot (Hermetia illucens) Extracts Against Respiratory Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

The bacteria that cause pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Maggot extract (Hermetia illucens) contains fatty acids and has antimicrobial potency. Studies regarding its antibacterial activity against respiratory pathogenic bacteria have not been reported. This research aimed to predict the biological activity of maggot extract through PASS online and in vitro study against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and S. aureus. Maggot extract was obtained from maceration using methanol and ethyl acetate. Upper and lower phases were formed after the ethyl acetate extract was centrifuged. The result showed ethyl acetate extract has antibacterial activity against three tested bacteria. PASS analysis predicted its antibacterial mechanism as a peptidoglycan glycosyltransferase inhibitor. Antibacterial activity of the lower phase extract against S. pneumoniae is not significantly different from chloramphenicol, and its activity against H. influenzae is higher than chloramphenicol. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the lower phase extract against three tested bacteria was 0.625% (v/v), and the upper phase was 1.25–2.5% (v/v). Overall results indicate the potential of maggot extract to be further developed as a respiratory pathogenic antibacterial candidate.