Avee Joy B. Dayaganon | Miralyn Madel I. Abapo | Carla Mae B. Egang | Ma. Lorenz Jane C. Padisio | Erma O. Salguero | Avon Mae R. Sedantes
Bacterial resistance to antibiotic drugs has become a threat to the public health. The emergence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses for the development of new antimicrobials that can surpass such resistance. The use of many insects and exotic animals as sources of therapeutic agents has been popularized by the eastern culture. The study aimed to test the antibacterial activity of cockroach hemolymph aspirate against the reference strain Methiliin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 43300). The hemolymph was aspirated from 95% ethanol-immobilized cockroaches. The obtained specimens were then subjected to Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Method of susceptibility testing to screen and detect its level of antibacterial activity. The results showed that the cockroach pure hemolymph aspirate exhibited mean zone of inhibition (ZI) of 7mm against MRSA ATCC 43300, indicating an inactive level of inhibition. The hemolymph aspirate preserved with formalin drops exhibited a ZI of 14.7mm, indicating an active level of inhibition. The positive control vancomycin showed a mean ZI of 13.6mm against the same reference organism. Based on the data gathered, the level of antibacterial activity of cockroach pure hemolymph aspirate against MRSA ATTC 4330 was inactive and thus, is not a potent source of antibiotic compound.