Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research (ISSN : 0975-7384)

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Original Articles: 2014 Vol: 6 Issue: 8

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity if earthworm tissue extract of Eudrilus eugeniae

Abstract

As earlier reported that the defense system of earthworm is found in their coelomic fluid. Different proteins and peptides (lysozyme and fetidins) have been isolated in different species of earthworm, responsible for their antibacterial activity. Antibacterial & antifungal activities of the whole tissue extract of earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae was tested using well diffusion method. Nine species were selected for antimicrobial screening and two for antifungal screening. The bacterial cultures were maintained on nutrient agar slant and the fungal strains were maintained on Sabouraud dextrose agar slant at 4°C as well as at -20°C by making glycerol stocks. Earthworm paste at a dose of 10mg/ml was able to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Among nine bacterial isolates only five species responded to earthworm extract. Maximum antibacterial activity was found with gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29 ± 1mm), which was almost similar to the standard antibiotic Streptomycin. (29.5±0.5 mm), Minimum antibacterial activity 21.5±1.5 mm was obtained with the gram positive Staphylococcus aureus. Earthworm extract didn’t not express any inhibition on Streptococcus pyrogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli. No antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Total concentration of protein was found 70 mg/100 gm. Thus these results clearly indicates that the earthworm tissue extract have good antibacterial potential and the bioactive compounds to inhibit the growth of bacteria.