Evaluation of antibacterial activity of vitamin C against human bacterial pathogens

Abstract

Now a day’s multidrug resistance phenomenon has become the main cause for concern and there has been an inadequate achievement in the development of novel antibiotics to treat the bacterial infections. Therefore, there is an unmet need to search for novel adjuvant. Vitamin C is one such promising adjuvant. The present study was aimed to elucidate the antibacterial effect of vitamin C at various temperatures (4°C, 37°C and 50°C) and pH (3, 8, and 11), against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at various concentrations (5-20 mg/ml) through agar well diffusion method. Growth inhibition of all bacterial strains by vitamin C was concentration-dependent. Vitamin C significantly inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus licheniformis (25.3 ± 0.9 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (22.0 ± 0.6 mm), Bacillus subtilis (19.3 ± 0.3 mm) and Gram-negative bacteria: Proteus mirabilis (27.67 ± 0.882 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.33±0.9 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.0 ± 1.5 mm) and Escherichia coli (18.3 ± 0.3 mm). The stability of vitamin C was observed at various pH values and various temperatures. Vitamin C showed significant antibacterial activity at acidic pH against all bacterial strains. Vitamin C remained the stable at different temperatures. It was concluded that vitamin C is an effective and safe antibacterial agent that can be used in the future as an adjunct treatment option to combat infections in humans.

New Amorphous Hydrogels with Proliferative Properties as Potential Tools in Wound Healing

“…The good antibacterial activity of the hydrogels with vitamin C it may be due to the much more acidic pH (4–4.5). This acidic nature could induce changes in the active sites of the enzymes causing changes to the peptidoglycan molecules in the structure of the bacterial cell wall [ 33 ]. A Gram-positive bacterium’s cell wall contains 3 to 20 times more peptidoglycan than that of a Gram-negative bacterium [ 34 ], which may explain why the tested Gram-negative bacteria are more susceptible to gel action.…”

The Interaction Effect of Laser Irradiation and 6-Benzylaminopurine Improves the Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Sprouts

“…Oleic acid, another major unsaturated fatty acid, also exhibited the inhibition of FabI [ 50 ]. An interaction between vitamin content, especially vitamin C and D, and antibacterial activity was also reported [ 51 ]. It is worth noting that the presence of phenolic compounds, as well as fatty acids and lignans, is critical for L. usitatissimum’s antibacterial activity.…”

Copper (II)-Catalyzed Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid: Ionic Strength Effect and Analytical Use in Aqueous Solution

“…Pro-oxidant action of vitamin C on the complex of copper (II) with 2-phenyl-4-(butylamino)-naphtholquinoline-7,12-dione-which might accelerate the lipid peroxidation in tumors-was also reported [14]. Ascorbic acid shows some antibacterial potential in vitro against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms [15] and might be of some use in septic shock treatment; however, rather due to improvement of microvascular function and peripheral tissue perfusion, as well as vasopressor requirement than antibacterial potential (see the recent discussion in Crit. Care [16][17][18][19]).…”