Antibacterial activity of the sponge Ircinia ramosa: importance of its surface-associated bacteria

Thakur, Narsinha L. ; Anil, A. C. (2000) Antibacterial activity of the sponge Ircinia ramosa: importance of its surface-associated bacteria Journal of Chemical Ecology, 26 (1). pp. 57-71. ISSN 0098-0331

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Official URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1005485...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005485310488

Abstract

Variations in the antibacterial activity of the sponge Ircinia ramosa were evaluated during two collection periods (January and May) against vicinity fouling bacteria (VFB) and sponge surface-associated bacteria (SAB). The density of fouling bacteria in the water column, as well as epibacterial abundance on the sponge surface, was enumerated during both collections, and both increased in the warmer month of May. The extracts obtained from SAB were also tested for their role in antibacterial activity of the host. Sponge-associated bacteria are capable of producing antibacterial metabolites. The antibacterial activity that originated from polar fractions in the cooler month of January shifted towards the nonpolar fractions in May. Nonpolar fractions were more useful for the sponge when threatened with increased bacterial density. Thus, the chemical nature and production of antibacterial compounds produced by sponge or its associated bacteria appears to be governed by the environment. An inverse relationship was observed between the epibacterial abundance over the sponge surface in nature and the antibacterial activity displayed by the sponge extracts in laboratory bioassays. This investigation reveals the importance of collection period as well as the role of associated bacteria in the evaluation of antibacterial activity.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Springer Verlag.
Keywords:Marine Sponge; Ircinia ramose; Sponge-associated Bacteria; Fouling Bacteria; Epibiosis; Chemical Defense; Antibacterial Activity; Nonpolar Compounds; Polar Compounds
ID Code:99934
Deposited On:27 Nov 2016 13:15
Last Modified:27 Nov 2016 13:15

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