Seraticin
{{Short description|Antibiotic substance}}
{{notability|date=November 2019}}
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| CASNo = 1039756-04-1
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| C=10 | H=16 | N=6 | O=9
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Seraticin is an antibiotic discovered by scientists at Swansea University able to inhibit 12 different strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as E. coli and C. difficile. The research was funded by the charity Action Medical Research, with support from the Rosetrees Trust. Seraticin was isolated as a compound of less than 500 Da molecular weight from the maggot secretions of the common green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata){{cite news|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080805155624.htm|title=Multi-Tasking Maggots In Superbug Showdown|work=ScienceDaily|accessdate=8 December 2012|date=11 August 2012}}{{cite journal |author=Bexfield A |title=The antibacterial activity against MRSA strains and other bacteria of a <500 Da fraction from maggot excretions/secretions of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) |journal=Microbes Infect. |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=325–33 |date=April 2008 |pmid=18400544 |doi=10.1016/j.micinf.2007.12.011 |name-list-style=vanc|author2=Bond AE |author3=Roberts EC |display-authors=3 |last4=Dudley |first4=Edward |last5=Nigam |first5=Yamni |last6=Thomas |first6=Stephen |last7=Newton |first7=Russell P. |last8=Ratcliffe |first8=Norman A.|doi-access=free }}{{Cite web |last=Nigam |first=Yamni |date=2017-01-10 |title=Creepy, crawly maggots are actually a medical powerhouse |url=http://theconversation.com/creepy-crawly-maggots-are-actually-a-medical-powerhouse-69081 |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}} It was patented in 2010 and has the molecular formula {{chem|C|10|H|16|N|6|O|9}}, but its chemical identity is unknown.{{cite journal|url=http://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/WO2011042684|title=(WO2011042684) Antimicrobial Composition and a Method of Controlling Contamination and Infection Using Said Composition|journal=US Patent|date=October 1, 2010|accessdate=8 December 2012}}
It is speculated that mechanism of action for seraticin is inhibition of septal formation and cell division.{{Citation |last1=Nigam |first1=Yamni |title=9. The Antimicrobial Activity of Medicinal Maggots |date=2022-07-18 |work=A Complete Guide to Maggot Therapy |pages=153–174 |place=Cambridge, UK |publisher=Open Book Publishers |last2=Wilson |first2=Michael R.|doi=10.11647/obp.0300.09 |isbn=978-1-80064-728-2 |doi-access=free }}{{Rp|page=162}}