Abstract
Seven seaweeds were collected from the intertidal zone at Rocky Bay on the east coast of South Africa. The species were Caulerpa racemosa var. laetevirens, Codium capitatum, Halimeda cuneata, Ulva fasciata, Amphiroa bowerbankii, Amphiroa ephedraea and Dictyota humifusa. Six bimonthly collections were made within a few days of the new moon to correspond with spring tide. Methanol extracts were tested for antifungal, antibacterial and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity. No seasonal variation was observed in antifungal activity, with D. humifusa extracts being the most active. The seaweed extracts inhibited the growth of the Gram-positive bacteria, with Bacillus subtilis being more susceptible than Staphylococcus aureus. Dictyota humifusa was the only seaweed able to inhibit the Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Seasonal variation in antibacterial activity was observed, with the extracts generally having no activity in summer and having antibacterial activity in late winter (July collection) and early spring (September and November collections). Dictyota humifusa was the most effective seaweed species, having antibacterial activity throughout the year. All the extracts tested had AChE inhibitory activity, with no seasonal variation in the levels of activity. Dictyota humifusa extracts were the most effective at inhibiting AChE activity.
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Acknowledgements
The National Research Foundation, South Africa and the International Foundation for Science, Sweden are acknowledged for providing financial assistance. Lisa Buwa, Gary Stafford and Marnie Light are thanked for their help in performing the assays.
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Stirk, W.A., Reinecke, D.L. & van Staden, J. Seasonal variation in antifungal, antibacterial and acetylcholinesterase activity in seven South African seaweeds. J Appl Phycol 19, 271–276 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-006-9134-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-006-9134-7