MYMENSINGH, Feb 18, 2025 (BSS) - Researchers of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have invented new organic antibiotics from the Neem Leaf Extract and shrimp shells.

This was disclosed at the recently concluded 31st annual scientific conference organized by the Bangladesh Society for Veterinary Education and Research (BSVER) on the campus.

In the two-day conference,  90 oral and 162 poster presentations were made in the 12 technical sessions with the participation of more than 500 domestic and foreign researchers and students.

Of these, “Organic Antibiotics from Neem Leaf Extract and Shrimp Shells” invented by BAU researchers drew huge attention of all concerned.

The researchers said with the easy availability of the antibiotics, the use of those in protecting the health of animals and human being has increased manifold. However, the use of antibiotics in poultry production is comparatively more noticeable at present time.

More worryingly, these resistant microorganisms can be transferred from animals to human, causing death from simple fever or minor wounds in the future, they observed.

The research findings also revealed that to reduce dependence on these synthetic antibiotics, BAU Professor Dr Md Shafiqul Islam of the Pharmacology Department has developed a natural solution through high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of ‘neem leaves’.

 The neem is a fast-growing tree of the mahogany family, valued as a medicinal plant, as a source of organic pesticides, and for its timber.

“We are continuing its research at the nano level . . .  When it is completed, its dose (usage level) will be 1,000 times less than the current ones,” researcher Prof Shafiqul Islam told BSS.

He said this extract contains Azadirachtin, Nimbidine, Nimbolinin, Nimbin and Salanin, which usually act as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.  It is also very helpful to enhance immunity by increasing lymphocytes.

Researchers said using this extract increases the ability of chickens to convert food into meat and improves liver function. In addition, no harmful components or side effects were observed in the small intestine (duodenum and colon) and blood, they added.

Meanwhile, the BAU researchers invented another antibiotics ‘Chitosan’ from shrimp shells

Prof Shafiqul Islam has initially developed a new type of antibiotic called "chitosan nanoparticles" from shrimp shells and waste. However, its higher research is still ongoing.

Researchers claimed that it is capable of destroying all those bacteria and is also quite effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The researcher said that chitosan is a type of biopolymer. To produce it, the process of demineralization, deproteinization and deacetylation is carried out by bacteria using shrimp shells and waste. Through these processes, natural chitin is converted into chitosan.