C. CHELLARAM AND J. K. PATTERSON EDWARD
Abstract
In vitro antibacterial screening of marine mollusc, Nassa costata, against selected five human and five fish pathogen was conducted in this study. Four solvents, acetone, ethyl acetate, ethanol and dichloromethane were used for the extraction. Among these, ethyl acetate extract of N. cost ata exhibiting a broad spectrum antibacterial activity each of the bacteria tested except Klebsiella pneumonia. Highest activity was exhibited against Serratia marcescens (8.5) and Vibrio harveyi (8.5mm) by the crude extract of ethyl acetate. The 100% of the column purified ethyl acetate fractions showed higher activity against Vibrio harveyi (8mm). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for Shigella dysentriae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus mirabilis and V. haevevi was 0.08mg. Hence 100% ethyl acetate fractions of the extract of N. costata exhibiting good antibacterial activity are undergoing further analysis to identify the active constituents.