• ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE SHELL EXTRACTS OF FRESH WATER MOLLUSC PARRESIYA CYLINDRICA AGAINST PATHOGENS

Abstract

The increase in prevalence of multiple drug resistance has slowed down the development of new synthetic antimicrobial drugs, and has necessitated the search for new antimicrobials from alternative sources. Natural compounds are a source of numerous therapeutic agents. Recent progress to discover drugs from natural sources has resulted in compounds that are being developed to treat cancer, resistant bacteria and viruses and immunosuppressive disorders. Some of the products derived from molluscs have been recommended in alternative system of medicine for several treatments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the shell extracts of P.cylindrica against human and fish pathogens. The shell powder of P.cylindrica were immersed separately in ethanol, acetone, methanol and cold steeped for overnight at -18°C. The antibacterial effects of the extracts were tested against five human pathogens and five fish pathogens. The extract obtained from ethanol showed a higher degree of inhibition to the human and fish pathogens. Maximum zone of inhibition was exhibited against S. typhi and S entirica. (8 mm) by the ethanol extract. The wide spectrum antibacterial activity exhibited by the shell powder extracts of P.cylindrica indicates that it may possess biologically active metabolites.