Ph.D. Dissertation at the University of Samarra Explores the Effectiveness of Fermented Cardia myxa Fruit in Inhibiting Microbial Isolates from Respiratory Tract Infections

A Ph.D. dissertation at the College of Education, University of Samarra, titled *”Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Fermented *Cardia myxa* Fruits Using Certain Therapeutic Enhancers and the Inhibition of Microbial Isolates from Patients with Respiratory Tract Infections”*, was presented by Assistant Lecturer Aqeel Majid Ahmed, a faculty member in the Department of Life Sciences at the same college.

In his dissertation, the researcher aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fermented Cardia myxa fruit using specific therapeutic enhancers and their inhibitory effect on microbial isolates from patients suffering from respiratory tract infections. This was achieved by isolating and identifying bacterial species from respiratory patients, determining their resistance, estimating the chemical components of Cardia myxa fruit extract, and identifying its active compounds. He also isolated and identified various species of Lactobacillus bacteria and evaluated their effectiveness as therapeutic enhancers, then carried out fermentation of the Cardia myxa extract using the isolated probiotic therapeutic enhancers.

Majid found that, among 120 samples of sputum and pharyngeal swabs from respiratory patients at Samarra General Hospital, the infection rate among both sexes was 41.7%, with the highest prevalence among individuals aged 36–45, particularly males. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and L. plantarum demonstrated the highest resistance to bile salts. Furthermore, the water extract of Cardia myxa fruit enhanced with L. rhamnosus recorded the highest inhibition rate against Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The Department of Media and Government Communication, on behalf of the staff of the University of Samarra, congratulates Assistant Lecturer Aqeel Majid Ahmed on earning his Ph.D., wishing him continued success in his academic and research career.