Abstract
Objective: Green microalgae are fast growing organisms and are known to have diverse bioactive compounds and biomolecules. The chemical composition and antibacterial activities of a green microalga, Acutodesmus dimorphus BIOTECH 4039 were studied.
Material and Method: Dried algal biomass of A. dimorphus was subjected to proximate and elemental composition analysis. Methanolic extract of A. dimorphus was used to determine the total phenolic content (TPC) and antibacterial activity of the microalga. TPC was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity against medically important bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus epidermidis BIOTECH 10098, penicillin acylase-producing Bacillus cereus BIOTECH 1509, Listeria monocytogenes BIOTECH 1958, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus BIOTECH 10378, Pseudomonas aeruginosa BIOTECH 1824, penicillin acylase-producing Escherichia coli BIOTECH 1634, and Serratia marcescens BIOTECH 1748) was done using modified Kirby-Bauer diffusion method.
Result and Discussion: A. dimorphus contained high amounts of protein, ash, and lipid with percent composition of 43.19 ± 0.13, 26.92 ± 0.01, and 14.17 ± 0.04, respectively. The elemental nutrient composition of the algal biomass was observed to be in a decreasing order of Ca > Mg > K > Mn > Na > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd >Cr. In addition, A. dimorphus has a TPC of 5.34 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g. Potent antibacterial activities of A. dimorphus extract were observed against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, penicillin acylase-producing Bacillus cereus with zones of inhibition of 15.1 ± 0.3 mm, 13.5 ± 0.1 mm, and 6.82 ± 0.7 mm, respectively. The study shows the use of A. dimorphus as good alternative source of important compounds and microelements that can be use in industrial and pharmaceutical application
Supporting Institution
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Thanks
The author is grateful for the financial and technical support given by the PNCM-BIOTECH, UPLB and Mrs. Arsenia B. Sapin for the conduct of the research study.