Abstract
In the recent past, the importance of freshwater algae has grown enormously due to their antibiotic activity against certain species of bacteria known for several disease states like endocarditis, external otitis, skin rash, etc. Also, there is a growing concern among the immunocompromised individuals that they may be susceptible to antibiotics and anti-fungal resistant infections resulting in increased fatality rates. Hence, in this investigation, extraction of potentially bioactive compounds from natural resources like freshwater algae was performed along with the evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of these extracts against some opportunistic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus xylosus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using well diffusion method. The data showed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) antibacterial activity of the organic extracts (0.1 g/ml) obtained from freshwater algae against multi-drug resistant S. aureus and S. xylosus strains as compared to the control. Our data reinforce the importance of bioactive compounds from fresh algae as potential antimicrobial agents, and they could act as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. Key words: Freshwater algae, Organic extracts, Antimicrobial activity, Opportunistic bacteria, Methicillin Resistant Streptococcus, Natural Antibiotics.
Highlights
Algae are plant-like organisms with no roots, stem, or leaves, having photosynthesis process for converting light energy into chemical energy
The inhibition zones of each extracted sample were measured against four different types of bacteria such as E. coli, S. aureus, S. xylosus, and P. aeruginosa
It was demonstrated that the ethanol extract of freshwater algae using Soxhlet extraction method had a statistically significant antibacterial effect against S. aureus and S. xylosus (Figure 4, P
Summary
Algae are plant-like organisms with no roots, stem, or leaves, having photosynthesis process for converting light energy into chemical energy. They are found in freshwater ponds, lakes with few exceptions in slow running water (Naik et al, 2012; Mei et al, 2021). The Oedogonium spp. has numerous advantages, for example, Oedogonium capillare was notably used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various human ailments such as dysentery, diarrhea, thrush on tongues of babies, wound healing, and as an antiseptic agent for various skin diseases (Perez-Gutierrez, 2006) It could act as feed for many organisms such as frogs, fish as well as for biomass applications in a freshwater ecosystems (Lawton et al, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
