Antimicrobial Properties of Sagebrush Chemicals in Different Environments
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Leonora Bittleston (Mentor), Boise State University
Abstract
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is the foundation species of the sagebrush steppe, the largest rangeland ecosystem in the United States. Sagebrush has a complex chemical profile, with various secondary metabolites that differ from other plant species found in this ecosystem. These compounds can have antimicrobial properties. Using known secondary metabolites of sagebrush, we sought to investigate how these compounds may shape microbial community assembly between different environments. These compounds were added to growth media plates (PDA) and set within two environments: an outdoor, natural environment for sagebrush and a human-associated environment located indoors. Comparing the two different environments, it is to be assumed there will be less microbe growth within the human-associated environment than within the natural sagebrush environment. Our preliminary results show that there is more microbial growth from the sagebrush-associated environment, which suggests that the sagebrush antimicrobial compounds show less of an effect on microbes that are likely better adapted to the sagebrush environment. These findings will help to provide a better understanding between leaf microbiomes and plant chemistry that can be used for biomedical purposes related to the use of antimicrobial compounds.
Antimicrobial Properties of Sagebrush Chemicals in Different Environments
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is the foundation species of the sagebrush steppe, the largest rangeland ecosystem in the United States. Sagebrush has a complex chemical profile, with various secondary metabolites that differ from other plant species found in this ecosystem. These compounds can have antimicrobial properties. Using known secondary metabolites of sagebrush, we sought to investigate how these compounds may shape microbial community assembly between different environments. These compounds were added to growth media plates (PDA) and set within two environments: an outdoor, natural environment for sagebrush and a human-associated environment located indoors. Comparing the two different environments, it is to be assumed there will be less microbe growth within the human-associated environment than within the natural sagebrush environment. Our preliminary results show that there is more microbial growth from the sagebrush-associated environment, which suggests that the sagebrush antimicrobial compounds show less of an effect on microbes that are likely better adapted to the sagebrush environment. These findings will help to provide a better understanding between leaf microbiomes and plant chemistry that can be used for biomedical purposes related to the use of antimicrobial compounds.