Antibacterial Action of Melittin,a Polypeptide from Bee Venom

Summary

Bee venom and a derived polypeptide fraction (melittin) were shown to have antibacterial activity against a penicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aurens (strain 80). This activity was demonstrated by a method similar to that used for plate sensitivity tests. Both whole bee venom and melittin were also able to inhibit the growth of 20 of the 30 different bacterial organisms tested. More gram-positive organisms (86%) were sensitive to bee venom and to melittin than were gram-negative organisms (46%). Among the gram-positive organisms tested the antibacterial effect of 1 mg of melittin was equal to that 0.1-93 units of penicillin; for a group of gram-negative organisms the equivalent penicillin level 93-1700 units.