A research team from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has made promising advancements in utilizing extracts from discarded mango seed cores for their potent antimicrobial properties, showing potential effectiveness against bacteria responsible for various human and animal diseases. The team, led by Dr. Md. Golzar Hossain from the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, initiated the study in April 2023, funded through personal resources.
The team includes BAU’s Professors Dr. Sukumar Saha, Dr. Sharmin Akter, and Dr. Biplob Kumar Saha, alongside graduate students Rahila Jannat Sadia, Chandon Sikder, Ananda Majumdar, Moslema Jahan Mou, and Nazmul Hasan Siam. According to Dr. Hossain, their initial findings have been accepted by a scientific journal. However, full publication of the report has been delayed due to a fee of approximately $1,500 required for publishing the entire study. Dr. KMH Nazir Hossain Nazir, head of the Microbiology and Hygiene Department, explained to DigiBangla that while the abstract has been published by the prestigious BMC journal in London, the full report remains pending due to the financial requirement.
The study, which utilized scanning electron microscopy, demonstrated that mango seed extracts can disrupt the structural integrity of bacterial cells and biofilms. When applied to infected rats, these extracts were effective in promoting recovery without showing notable toxicity, aside from minimal changes in the liver and kidneys at high doses.
Speaking on future applications, Dr. Hossain shared that they have commenced preliminary trials of the extract on poultry. Should the trials succeed, this innovation could significantly benefit Bangladesh’s poultry sector and health sector by offering a cost-effective and natural alternative for bacterial infection management, contributing to national economic savings.
Highlighting the global issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Dr. Hossain emphasized that resistance to synthetic antimicrobials has become a critical threat to both human and veterinary health, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Various international studies have demonstrated the safety and affordability of herbal remedies as alternatives to synthetic drugs, a research area that WHO has recommended for further exploration.
As Bangladesh ranks among the world’s top mango-producing countries, the researchers underscored the potential of mango seed and peel, often discarded, as sources of valuable medicinal properties. While previous studies have explored the antimicrobial activity of mango peels and leaves, BAU’s study marks one of the first scientific inquiries into the benefits of mango seed extracts in Bangladesh, though similar preliminary research has been conducted internationally.
Professor Dr. Sukumar Saha noted that while the extract lacks efficacy against certain gram-negative bacteria, it shows significant potential in targeting specific bacterial strains. The team is now focused on isolating the active compound responsible for the antibacterial effect. Dr. Saha expressed optimism that if they successfully identify this active ingredient, the extract’s toxicity could be reduced by up to 99.99%.
