ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the In vitro antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of marine macroalgae Ulva fasciata (U. fasciata) collected from Mandapam coastal waters, and to identify certain seaweed extracts that can act as an alternative of commonly used antibiotics. Methods Seaweeds U. fasciata was collected from Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coastal Region, Mandapam, Tamil Nadu and was screened for antimicrobial and hemolytic activity. Methanol, butanol and aqueous extracts were tested against selected fish pathogens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteus sp. Vibrio alginolyticus (V. alginolyticus) and Enterobacter sp. and fungal pathogens Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus niger and Candida sp. The extract was subjected to TLC to determine the presences of peptides and amide groups. And the hemolytic activity was assayed. Results Maximum of 16 mm inhibition zone was observed against V. alginolyticus and the minimum 12 mm against Enterobacter sp., respectively. U. fasciata showed poor activity against the fungal pathogens. The present results showed the use of seaweeds as an antimicrobial agents for pharmacology or as a health-promoting food for aquaculture. Conclusions The screening result confirms that these seaweeds can be further studied and used as possible source of antimicrobial compounds.