Antimicrobial activity of self-assembled structures formed by protected amino acids

Herein we report the antimicrobial activity of the self-assembled structures formed by protected single amino acids (SAAs) and also their application as a tool for overcoming antibiotic resistance. Interestingly, SAAs modified with simple protecting groups like -Fmoc, -Boc, -Cbz exhibit antibacterial activity and is useful in overcoming the antibiotic resistance in wide spectrum of bacterial strains namely Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, P. aeruginosa, Vibrio cholera and Enterococcus faecalis as in there presence the concentration of antibiotic required to inhibit bacterial strain was decreased manifold . The SAAs themselves exhibited antimicrobial activity albeit higher doses of the SAAs as compared to chloramphenicol alone was required for inhibition. However, in presence of antibiotics the concentration required for SAAs as well as antibiotic was lowered manifold particularly in case of S. Aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. Faecalis the IC50 value of peptides alone was even less than chloramphenicol. When peptides were used in combination with chloramphenicol antibiotic resistance was overcome in wide spectrum of bacterial strains and the concentration of chloramphenicol required was drastically reduced.