Abstract
This study deals with the antimicrobial potential assessment of Ulva rigida, in regard to collection period and sampling site. Besides, we assess the chemical composition of bioactive compounds. For this purpose, Ulva rigida was seasonally collected from two northern sites in Tunisia, Cap Zebib rocky shore (CZ) and Ghar El Melh lagoon (GEM). Crude organic extracts were prepared using dichloromethane and dichloromethane/methanol and tested against 19 indicator microorganisms using the disk diffusion method and microdilution technique to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Silica gel column and thin layer chromatography were used for purification of active compounds. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography were used for compounds identification. Samples of Ulva rigida collected from the two sites have uniform antimicrobial activity throughout the year. Algae collected from the lagoon showed the largest spectrum of activity and were used for subsequent analysis. Bioguided purification of extracts from Ulva rigida, collected at GEM, leads to 16 active fractions with antibacterial effect mainly against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. These fractions were identified as fatty acids, mainly oleic (C18: 1 w9), linoleic (C18: 2 w6), palmitic (C16: 0), and stearic (C14: 0). MICs values ranged from 10 to 250 μg/ml.
Highlights
Seaweeds are a diverse group of marine organisms that have developed complex biochemical pathways to survive in a highly competitive environment, very different from the terrestrial one [1]
Registration of physicochemical parameters at Ghar El Melh lagoon (GEM) and Cap Zebib rocky shore (CZ) shows that the temperature varies from 13∘C to 23∘C in CZ and of 15∘C to 24∘C in GE. pH values, salinity, and dissolved oxygen are almost constant in both regions, whereas values of nitrate, ammonium, total phosphorus (TP), and chl a registered are clearly higher in the lagoon water (Table 1)
D and D/M extracts of U. rigida collected from GEM showed significant antimicrobial activity during the four seasons with a variable activity spectrum (Table 2)
Summary
Seaweeds are a diverse group of marine organisms that have developed complex biochemical pathways to survive in a highly competitive environment, very different from the terrestrial one [1]. Such situations require the production of specific and potent bioactive substances that can lead to the development of new drugs and functional foods or nutraceuticals. Ulva species are the most abundant representatives, being ubiquitous in coastal benthic communities around the world. Ulvacean are considered bioindicators species with increased importance in coastal ecosystem management, mainly related to green tides associated with eutrophication processes in shallow environments [3]. In addition Ulva species represent untapped resources for food, fuel, and high value-added compounds. The genus Ulva remains considerably understudied [4]
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