Scientists of the American Chemical Society identified substances contained in amber, which can be used in the fight against bacterial infections incurable with many antibiotics. This is reported in a press release on Phys.org.
Experts analyzed samples of petrified resin age 44 million years ago from the largest amber field in the Baltic Sea region. The resin was highlighted by extinct view of SCIADOPITYACEAE pines and possessed the protective effect against bacteria, fungi and insects.
For studies, fine amber powder was prepared, components from which were extracted with solvents. The extracts were subjected to chromato mass spectrometry to determine chemical compounds in their composition. Scientists have found abitin acid, dehydroabetic acid and dehydroic acid in Yantar, organic compounds with 20 carbon atoms with biological activity.
Test results have shown that these compounds are active against gram-positive bacteria, such as certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus. According to scientists, this means that abitive acids and their derivatives are a potential source of new tools for the treatment of infectious diseases.