Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTI BACTERIAL SCREENING OF FRACTIONS OF GRACILARIA CORTICATA AGAINST THE SELECTED BACTERIAL STRAINS

Mohammed M. Safhi, S.M.Sivakumar* Aamena Jabeen and Syeda Sanobar

Abstract

Gracilaria corticata is a red alga which is abundantly present in many seacoasts around the world. Phytochemical analysis of fraction 3 of crude methanolic extract of Gracilaria corticata has shown presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, flavinoids, terpenoids and proteins. The anti bacterial activity of fraction 3 of crude methanolic extract of Gracilaria corticata was tested against certain human pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441, Bacillus cereus MTCC 492, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 121, Streptococcus pyogenes MTCC 442, Klebsiella pneumonia MTCC 530, Salmonella typhi MTCC 531 and Escherichia coli MTCC 443. The predominant activity was observed against all the organisms tested except Klebsiella pneumonia. Studies suggested that potential anti bacterial compounds can be isolated from Gracilaria corticata.

Keywords: Seaweeds; Gracilaria corticata; Phytochemical screening; antibacterial action.