Antibacterial activity of diff erent solvent extracts of Caulerpa chemnitzia (Esper) J.V. Lamououx, from Mandapam, Gulf of Mannar Southeast Coast, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Phytochemical analyses and in vitro antibacterial activity of different extracts of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate,
acetone, and methanol extracts of green algae, Caulerpa chemnitzia (Esper) J.V. Lamououx, against Bacillus
subtilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella flexneri, and Vibrio cholerae. The extent of the
inhibitory zone, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were
determined. The ethyl acetate extract of C. chemnitzia showed the presence of phytochemicals, terpenoids,
tannins and phenolic compounds strongly than the other solvent extracts. The mean zone of inhibition produced
by the extracts in agar diffusion assays against the tested bacterial strains ranged from 7.1 to 13.6 mm. The MIC
was between 125 and 500 μg/mL while the MBC were between 250 and 1000 μg/mL. The highest mean zone
of inhibition (13.6 mm) and the lowest MIC (125 μg/mL) and MBC (250 μg/mL) values were observed in ethyl
acetate extract against B. subtilis. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of C. chemnitzia can be
used as an antibacterial substance for the treatment of bacteria causing acquired infection.