Screeening of antimicrobial activity in three species of sea urchins from Bidong Island

Abstract

In this study, the screening of the antibacterial activity of sea urchins species on selected bacteria, both the Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were used because besides being commonly found, they were also pathogenic. Three methods of extraction were utilized: methanol solvent, ethanol extraction and extraction of water soluble substance PBS, with inner tissues and outer layer were study. The aim is to ascertain the most suitable and effective extraction method and solvent used to yield the active antibacterial substances from the respective three species of sea urchin Diadema setosum, Diadema savignyi dan Echinothrix calamaris found in Bidong Island. It were evidenced that, the methanol and ethanol extract from two out of three species of sea urchins shown positive effect which is D. setosum and D. savignyi. Besides that, inner tissues revealed more promising antimicrobial activity compared to outer layer of all sea urchins species. PBS extraction revealed with no positive activities in any species proved that being not a better solvent to extract compounds from sea urchin in this particular species study. However, the exact class of the active antibacterial substance that was detected in the extract is not known and needs further research.