The antibiotic resistance of pathogenic microorganisms is a worldwide
problem. To solve this, new antibiotics are needed. Magdalena Zuk and
researchers from the Wroclaw University in Poland now study the potential of
genetically modified flax in producing antibiotics.

Transgenic flax plants produce compounds with potential antimicrobial
activity. An alkali hydrolyzed seedcake extract from flax seeds was used
against several pathogenic bacteria. Results showed the antibacterial
activity of the extract which may be due to bacterial topoisomerase II
inhibition and genomic DNA disintegration.

The results strongly suggest that seedcake extract is a candidate for
antimicrobial action against a broad spectrum of pathogens. It will be an
excellent answer to drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria.

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