INVITRO ANTAGONISTIC ACTIVITY OF MARINE SEAWEED EXTRACTS AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENS

Seaweeds represent a potential source of antimicrobial substances due to their diversity of secondary metabolites and are possessed
with antibacterial, antiviral, cytotoxic and larvicidal potentials. Five different seaweed samples were collected from different locations
at Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coastal region, Pudhumadam, India. They were identified as Sargassum wightii, Caulerpa racemosa,
Caulerpa sertularioides, Padina gymnospora and Chaetomorpha antennina. Sample preparation was done by obtaining aqueous
extracts and solvents extracts of seaweeds for testing their antimicrobial potential against human pathogens. Solvent extracts of
seaweed samples were prepared using different solvent system. The results obtained on antibiogram pattern of Sargassum wightii,
Caulerpa racemosa, Caulerpa sertularioides, Padina gymnospora and Chaetomorpha antennina against bacterial and fungal test
pathogens, showed that among the five seaweeds two samples namely Sargassum wightii and Caulerpa sertularioides showed wide
spectrum activity and high degree of zone of inhibition against the target organisms. Fourier Transmission Infra Red Spectroscopy
was used for the chemical characterization of potential seaweed samples such as Sargassum wightii and Caulerpa sertularioides. FTIR
spectral data for major peaks of Sargassum wightii and Caulerpa sertularioides showed the presence of C =N stretch, C- H stretch
and hydrogen bonded O –H stretch which indicated the presence of functional groups such as nitriles, aldehydes and phenols or
alcoholic groups, esters and nitro groups. This study will provide scope in exploiting indigenous resources for further isolation of
antimicrobial compounds.