It is hoped the proteins can be used as a basis for new antibacterial and antiviral drugs to treat human infections.
The next step is to work out the exact chemical structure of the antibiotic proteins.
The researchers are also looking into the possibility of using the crocodile proteins in developing treatments for HIV after showing white blood cells from crocodiles could destroy the virus in a Petri dish.
Biochemist Dr Mark Merchant, who has been looking into the antibiotic properties of crocodile blood for the past four years, said the team was very excited about the potential for developing antibacterial and antifungal treatments.
“There’s a real possibility that you could be treated with an crocodile blood product one day.”
He predicts creams made from crocodile blood could be used for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers or to keep infections at bay in burn patients.
Dr Merchant has done similar work using Australian crocodiles.
Professor Paul Williams, an expert in microbiology at the University of Nottingham said most antibiotics in use today were developed a long time ago.
“We’re basically running out so we need to develop new antibiotics.
“People are looking for peptides in frog skin and crocodiles, for example, to see if they are effective at reducing virulence, killing bacteria or improving the ability of the immune system to fight infection.
“But lots of them have never made it into the clinic.”
credit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7330051.stm
