Antibacterial Potential of Holothuria leucospilota, Brandt 1835 Extracts from Carmen Bay, Romblon, Philippines

Abstract

This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of extracts from the skin, Polian vesicle, Cuveirian tubules, and intestines of sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria). The disc diffusion method evaluated the antibacterial activity of sea cucumber H. leucospilota extracts. All treatments show inhibitory effects in both test microorganisms however cuvierian tubules have no effect on E. coli. Among the six treatments tested in S. aureus, the skin has the highest zone of inhibition with an average of 23.25mm followed by the intestine at 14.75mm, positive control at 10.25mm, and Polian vesicle at 9.00mm, respectively. The majority of the treatments were classified as bacteriostatic towards the test microorganisms. Based on the findings of this study, the Gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus was more susceptible than the Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli. Therefore, it was concluded that sea cucumber extracts especially H. leucospilota collected in Carmen Bay, Romblon, Philippines, exhibited antibacterial potential towards test bacteria. The results of this study suggest that H. leucospilota is a potential source for discovering new antibiotics. Thus, this species has a potential for the pharmaceutical industry. It also suggests further investigations need to be carried out to determine its potential application in other aspects of medicine. In addition, elucidation of the compounds responsible for the bioactive including identification, sufficient isolation, and purifications, and also the analysis of the antibacterial mode of action should be done for natural drug development in the future.