Identification of Metabolites Exhibiting Anti-microbial Properties by Kathleen C. & Jarrod H.

This research project utilizes the diverse locations of the two teams of collaborators (Singapore and the US) by comparing plants used in eastern (Chinese) and western (Native American) traditional medicines. The goal is to compare plants from different areas of the world that are used to treat the same symptoms, and see if there is a correlation in the types and quantities of metabolites produced in these plants. After collecting locally grown plant samples, we will extract metabolites from them, and then use High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to identify and analyze the quantities of metabolites present in the plant samples.  Following the identification of metabolites, we will test the anti-microbial properties of the plant essences using the Kirby-Bauer method to test the resistance of E. coli bacteria to the extracted essences of the plant samples. The USA side of the collaboration will be analyzing the metabolites found in the following plants: Coffee, Redbud Tree, and Manzanita. Through this research, we hope to be able to identify specific metabolites used in traditional medicines that aid in relieving specific symptoms, and see their anti-microbial effect. This knowledge would be applicable to future research and design in the field of pharmaceuticals and drug development...