Potential of water and methanol extracts of Lambis lambis against fish and human pathogens

Abstract

Bioprospecting for pharmaceuticals in marine organisms can be used as a tool for rendering treatment for human and fish diseases. Marine biodiversity offers large resources which is still unexplored for the discovery of new molecules as drugs. Among them molluscs have pronounced pharmacological activities and other properties useful in biomedical arena. This study deals with the investigation of marine gastropod Lambis lambis for its antibacterial property, inhibiting the growth of two different fish pathogens and four different human pathogens. Whole body tissue extracts of water, methanol, acetone, hexane and chloroform were prepared. The antibacterial activity was verified using agar disc diffusion technique, and the zone of inhibition for each extract was measured. Further characterisation of whole body tissue extract was done using paper chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. Water extract was found to be active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella aerogenes. Growth of P. aeruginosa, Flavobacterium columnare and Staphylococcus aureus was effectively controlled by methanolic extracts. Water extract was highly active against Aeromonas hydrophila, and methanol extract was effective against K.aerogenes. Agglutinin and haemolytic assays were performed to test the presence of any toxins in the extract. L. lambis has the potential to be developed into a bioactive substance with further characterisation studies.