RESUMEN
Marine organisms, such as sea urchins like Heliocidaris crassispina, produce bioactive substances with antimicrobial activity to protect themselves from the high density of microorganisms in their habitats. One such substance, Echinochrome A (Ech A), has been isolated from various sea urchins' shells and spines using strong acidic solutions and organic solvents. Ech A, however, has not been reported from the coelomic fluid of H. crassispina. In this study, we report the antimicrobial activity of H. crassispina coelomic fluid extract against various microbes, evaluating its potential for purifying potent antimicrobial materials. Upon confirming the extract as a promising source of antimicrobial materials, we isolated antimicrobial compounds from the extract. A series of HPLC steps were taken to purify antimicrobial materials from the H. crassispina coelomic fluid extract, resulting in the isolation of two single absorbance peaks showing antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. One peak consisted of a single antimicrobial compound with a molecular weight (MW) corresponding to Ech A, while the other peak comprised five MWs inferred to be those of Ech A and its oxidative products. The elution of Ech A in two separate peaks may be attributable to the presence of Ech A's isomer, as reported in several previous studies. The use of the environmentally friendly extraction method in procurement of Ech A from the coelomic fluid would contribute to the implementation of risk-reducing extraction method for researchers studying Ech A from sea urchins.
Asunto(s)
Staphylococcus aureus , Animales , Staphylococcus aureus/efectos de los fármacos , Anthocidaris/química , Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Antiinfecciosos/química , Erizos de Mar/química , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/química , NaftoquinonasRESUMEN
This study aimed at analysing concentrations of heavy metals including arsenic, lead, cadmium, aluminium and mercury in commonly consumed seafood species belonging to Echinodermata (Anthocidaris crassispina and Stichopus japonicus) and Chordata (Halocynthia roretzi and Styela plicata). The samples were digested by a microwave system and analysed for As, Cd and Pb by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, for Al by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer and Hg by Direct Mercury Analyser. The analytical method was validated by determining sensitivity, linearity, precision, spiking recoveries and analysis of the Standard Reference Material (SRM) NIST 1566-b, an Oyster Tissue. Results showed considerably higher accumulation of Al and As in analysed samples, compared to Pb and Cd, while Hg had the lowest contamination. On comparison, the obtained results with the recommended standards by the Food and Agriculture Organization, European Commission and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea, it was concluded that the analysed seafoods were safe and thus would not pose a threat to consumers.