Extraction and Evaluation of Antibiotic Compounds from Burkholderia Bacteria

Antibiotic resistance poses a major global threat as the world is seeing a diminishing supply of effective antibiotics. “Burk” is a strain of Burkholderia that was discovered in soil samples collected in Kansas City at a residential construction site. In this research we extracted and tested antibiotics created by these novel bacteria. Using different methods of chromatography, such as TLC, column chromatography, and HPLC, we separated the extract mixtures. After each step in the process, we tested our antibiotics against tester strains in broth using a plate reader. Chemical extracts taken and analyzed from these bacteria inhibited the growth of E.coli and S. epi. The separated fractions of the extract were tested for antimicrobial activity against tester strains in broth. The results will be discussed.