Israeli Researchers Uncover Antibiotic Properties in Pepper Plants

Researchers at Israel’s Ben Gurion University (BGU) have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing that an active ingredient in the Indian long pepper plant holds powerful antibiotic properties that can disrupt bacterial spread and combat infections. The discovery adds to the long-standing use of the Indian long pepper in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where it has been valued for treating gastrointestinal issues and cholera.

The research team, led by Professor Ariel Kushmaro from BGU’s Department of Biotechnology Engineering, developed a derivative from the long pepper plant that has the potential to prevent and treat bacterial infections. This derivative, named PL-18, targets bacteria by reducing their virulence and disrupting biofilms complex communities of microorganisms that stick together and to surfaces, making infections harder to treat.

The Indian long pepper plant produces organic compounds known as secondary metabolites, which are now recognized for their ability to kill pathogens. The study’s conclusion suggests that PL-18 could be instrumental in treating bacterial infections and preventing the formation of biofilms, which are often resistant to conventional antibiotics.

This discovery opens new avenues for medical research and treatment, particularly as antibiotic resistance continues to pose a significant global health challenge. Further funding to Ben Gurion University could support additional studies in this promising field and other areas of medical research.

In related news, Ben Gurion University is not the only Israeli institution benefiting from significant support for scientific advancement. An anonymous Jewish donor has recently gifted Bar-Ilan University $260 million, the second-largest donation ever received by an educational institution in Israel. The donor, a Columbia University alumnus and World War II veteran, is believed to have made the donation in response to recent anti-Israel protests on American university campuses, including at his alma mater.

According to Bar-Ilan University’s President Arie Zaban, the donor’s gift underscores his belief that Israel’s technological resilience and future rest on groundbreaking scientific research. This extraordinary act of philanthropy will likely bolster Israel’s position as a leader in innovation and scientific discovery.

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