ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SOME SEAWEED EXTRACTS AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENS

Abstract

The current investigation was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of some seaweed extract commonly found in the coastal area of Karachi, Pakistan. Eight different species of seaweeds were used in the present study including two members of chlorophycota (Chaetomorpha antennina and Codium iyengarii), four members of phaeophycota (Colpomenia sinousa, Iyengaria stellata, Padina tetrastromatica and Stoechospermum marginatum) and two members of rhodophycota (Gracilaria corticata and Sloeiria robusta). Antimicrobial assessment of these extracts was performed by disc diffusion method against common human pathogens including gram negative bacterium (Escherichia coli), gram positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal strain (Candida albicans). The experimental results reveal that the extract and colorant yield percentage were maximum in red seaweed, mediocre with brown seaweed and least in green seaweeds samples. The extract form Iyengaria stellata was highly effective against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The present finding reveals that the tested seaweed extracts were highly active against fungal strain than bacteria. The utilization of these seaweed extract could be used a promising source of pharmaceutical agent.