About Keanumycins |UPSC Current Affairs

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Context:

A group of molecules developed by bacteria of genus Pseudomonas has proven to have such a strong antimicrobial effect that researchers have named them Keanumycins after Keanu Reeves because they are extremely effective at killing (microbes), just like some of the Hollywood icon’s characters.

Details:

According to Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), the researchers proved that the substance Keanumycins is effective against both plant fungal diseases and human-pathogenic fungi.
The group of molecules works effectively against the planet pest Botrytis cinerea, which triggers grey mould rot in crops, causing massive harvest losses every year. It also affects fungi that are dangerous to humans, like Candida albicans and has been proven to be harmless to plant and human cells.
Keanumycins can be an environment-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. They could also offer an alternative in the fight against resistant fungi. Many fungi that affect humans are now resistant to antimycotics because they are used in large quantities in agriculture.

Significance:

Researchers believe that the antimycotic properties of keanumycin could possibly be used by humans as well.
Tests conducted so far reveal that the products are not highly toxic for human cells and that they are effective against fungi in low concentrations. This could make keanumycins a good candidate for the pharmaceutical development of new antimycotics.