Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a tool for identification of crude microbial extracts with anti-malarial potential

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is an indispensable tool for identifying biologically active functional groups in uncharacterized crude samples. Here, using FT-IR spectrum analysis, we identified crude extracts of Streptomyces that have anti-malarial activities and conducted a statistical analysis of their spectra. Among the three crude microbial extracts tested herein, an aromatic amine C-N stretching functional group was observed in the spectra of Streptomyces sp. BJSG1 and BJSG4 crude extracts. These extracts showed promising activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro cultures with IC50 values of 0.5 for BJSG1 and 0.4 mu g/mL for BJSG4. The present results showed that FT-IR analysis is necessary for the primary analysis of unknown samples in anti-malarial drug development.