Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Publication Date
Fall 11-24-2025
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Biology, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
John Niedzwiecki
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Emerging fungal diseases are a continuous threat to wildlife health as well as biodiversity. Fungal diseases, such as white nose syndrome in bats, can devastate populations by disrupting their ecosystems. Many other species around the world are affected by fungal diseases, such as amphibians, birds, and snakes. In more recent years, snake fungal disease (SFD) emerged due to the fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola (O.o). Like Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungal pathogen responsible for white nose syndrome, O.o targets the skin which contains many fatty acids. Some studies have shown that fatty acids present in bat skin are able to inhibit fungal growth. It has also been observed that some species of snakes are more susceptible to infection of O.o. This prompted us to research how some of the fatty acids present in snakeskin would inhibit the growth of O.o., and if different fatty acid composition between species were a factor in explaining the differences of species infections. We simulated snakeskin in a petri dish with keratin and infused one of four different fatty acids into agar for five trials. A plug with O.o was laid on top of the agar in the middle of the dish to simulate infection. Growth of the fungus was recorded every two days until eight days passed. It was observed that there were significant differences in growth of trials involving octanoic acid and nonanoic acid compared to other trials and two controls. Octanoic and nonanoic acid showed a slowing effect on growth of O.o. This was theorized to be caused by the longer carbon chains in the two fatty acids. Our results agree with previous knowledge of nonanoic acid being antifungal. For further understanding, research on volatility of acids in the agar over time could be observed.
Recommended Citation
Rodriguez, Thalia; Cardenas, Jacey; DelaRosa, Lizbeth; Patel, Krupa; and Niedzwiecki, John, "Fungal Foes and Fatty Defenses: How Simulated Snake Skin Lipids Influence Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola Growth" (2025). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 291.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/291
