The evolution of multiple-drug resistant bacteria is contributing to the global antimicrobial crisis, hence driving us to search for novel antimicrobial(s). Among animals, invertebrates represent up to 80% of all known species suggesting their wide distribution. Despite their ubiquitous and plentiful nature, they have been largely unexplored as potential source of antibacterials. In this study, we selected a broad range of invertebrates from terrestrial and marine environments and tested their lysates for antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aereus (MRSA) and neuropathogenic Escherichia coli K1. Cockroaches, centipedes, tarantulas, prawns, lobster, and mud crabs showed antibacterial activity with selected lysates exhibiting more than 90% bactericidal effects. The red-headed centipede’s hemolymph showed 90% and 50% bacteriostatic activity against MRSA and E. coli K1, respectively. Tarantula’s body extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against MRSA and E. coli K1. Gut extracts of tiger prawn exhibited more than 90% bacteriostatic activity against both bacteria. The selected lobster and mud crab extract exhibited up to 90% growth inhibitory activity against MRSA. Overall, these results showed that selected invertebrates are an untapped source of broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and suggest the presence of biologically active molecules.

多重耐药菌的进化导致了全球抗微生物危机，因此促使我们寻找新的抗微生物药物。在动物中，无脊椎动物占所有已知物种的 80%，表明它们分布广泛。尽管它们无处不在和丰富的性质，但它们作为抗菌剂的潜在来源在很大程度上尚未得到探索。在这项研究中，我们从陆地和海洋环境中选择了广泛的无脊椎动物，并测试了它们的裂解物对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA) 和神经致病性大肠杆菌的抗菌活性K1。蟑螂、蜈蚣、狼蛛、对虾、龙虾和泥蟹显示出抗菌活性，所选裂解物的杀菌效果超过 90%。红头蜈蚣的血淋巴对 MRSA 和大肠杆菌K1 的抑菌活性分别为90% 和 50% 。狼蛛的身体提取物对 MRSA 和大肠杆菌K1具有抗菌活性。虎虾的肠道提取物对这两种细菌都表现出超过 90% 的抑菌活性。选定的龙虾和泥蟹提取物对 MRSA 表现出高达 90% 的生长抑制活性。总体而言，这些结果表明，选定的无脊椎动物是广谱抗菌活性的未开发来源，并表明存在生物活性分子。