Investigation of antibacterial and antifungal activities of the extract marine algae Sargassum glaucescens

In recent decades the use of algae in the food and pharmaceutical industries is of great importance. The antimicrobial activity of brown alga methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane, and chloroform extracts on bacteria gram positive, gram negative, and fungi was evaluated by using nutrient broth macrodilution test. Sargassum glaucescense was collected around the coastal waters of Chabahar (Oman Sea) in Nov and Dec 2015. Six pathogenic organisms including; Enterococcus faecium ATCC 51299, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668, Shigella boydii ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883, Salmonella enteritidi PTCC, 1709, Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Aspergillus fumigatus PTCC 5009 were investigated by the broth dilution method. Methanolic Extract for six strains showed good activity amongst eight strains. Hexane extract, after methanolic extract has good effect on antimicrobial activity against five strains. All bacteria strain in this survey has showed resistance against ethyl acetate and chloroformic extracts. All extract of S. glaucescens has good inhibition growth against two fungal strains. S. glaucescens using four various solution extract against eight different human pathogens showed an important antimicrobial and antifungal activity. However, more investigation has to be done on separation, purification and detection of the active ingredients in order to recognize their antifungal and antibacterial activity

Identification of metallothionein gene structure in sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

Aquatic organisms present, not only simple sources of accumulated metal, but can interact with metals, altering their toxicity. Due to exposition of biosphere with metals, organisms have developed various defense mechanisms to protect themselves against adverse effects of these ions and their compounds. Metallothionein (MT) is one of that which represents a critical mechanism for detoxification of metals. The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is a bottom feeding sturgeon species and because the fish are dependent on invertebrate species for food throughout their life cycle, the sterlet could be a good indicator of the quality of the state of water ecosystem. Addition of copper to water leads to the induction of MT. The present study analyzed MTgene primary structure that was excreted from the liver of sterlet exposed to sub-lethal copper concentrations (0.075 mgL^-1 ). At the beginning to identify the molecular structure of Metallothionein of sterlet, a cDNA encoding MT was purified from livers of sterlet, and the MTgene was amplified. The primary structure of sterlet metallothionein (S-MT) contained 20 cysteine residues, which is the same as MTs of teleost fishes. Although, the primary structure of S-MT contained 63 amino acids, which is longer than any MT identified in teleost fishes but similar to the structure of MT gene in lake sturgeon and white sturgeon. The complete nucleotide sequence of the S-MTgene has been detected. We have determined the structure of the fish copper-binding protein by DNA sequence analysis of the gene

Histopathological changes of gill, liver and kidney in Caspian kutum exposed to Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate

The histopathological effects of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate on the gill, liver and kidney tissues of the Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum were studied. The fish were exposed to three sublethal concentrations of anionic detergent, Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) for short term intervals (192 h). Gill, liver and kidney samples were collected after 192 h of exposure to LAS and lesions were analyzed by light microscopy. The histological changes to gills were edema, fusion of lamellae and lamellar aneurism. Some alterations like reduction of the interstitial haematopoietic tissue, tubular shrinkage, degeneration in the epithelial cells of renal tubule and necrosis were observed in the kidney. In the liver tissue, hepatocyte degeneration, congestion and dilation of sinusoid and vacuolar degeneration were seen. It seems that sublethal concentration of LAS may affect severe changes to gill, kidney and liver of R. frisii kutum specimens that leads to malfunction of these organs which cause damage to health of the fish

Effect of malathion insecticide on liver tissue and enzymes of Rutilus rutilus caspicus of the Caspian Sea

Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide which uses to destroy insects and pests of fruit trees, ornamental plants and agricultural corps. In the present study, effect of Malathion on liver and selected enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) was studied in Caspian Roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus). Four treatments with three replications were designed to carry out the survey. Four groups of experimental fish (containing 30 fish in each group) were exposed to different concentrations of Malathion. e. 0, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 ppm respectively for 23 days. Blood collection was done in 3rd, 13th and 23th after exposure to Malathion and also 30 days after recovery in clean water and enzymes were measured using standard kits. Also liver tissues were isolated to histological examination. Results showed that tissues of control group (0ppm) were normal and there were no damages, yet there were hepatocytes degeneration, picnotic in nuclear, hepatocytes vacuolization, vascular congestion and sinusoid congestion in liver of other groups. Tissue damages were increased in higher malathion concentration and over time. Results related to enzymes showed that there were no significant differences in SGOT of fish treated with low concentrations of malathion (0.01 and 0.05 ppm) and control group but it was increased in highest concentration (p<0.05). Yet, SGPT increased significantly after passing 23 days in all fish exposed to malathion But ALP changes trend was decreasing

Evaluation of lysosomal stability and red blood cell membrane fragility in mudskipper (Boleophthalmus dussumieri) as a biomarker of poly aromatic hydrocarbons

This research was carried out to study some physiological responses of mudskipper (i.e., Boleophthalmus dussumieri) as a biomarker Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Fish specimens were obtained 5 stations (Arvand, Jafari, Zangi, Samayeli, Bahrakan) along north western coast of the Persian Gulf (Khuzestan Coast). PAHs concentration was measured by HPLC method. Lysosomal membrane change was measured by NRR time method and stability of red blood cell membrane was evaluated by EOF test. Total PAH concentrations in the sediments and the liver tissue ranged between 113.50-3384.34 ng g-1dw, 3.99-46.64ng g-1 dw, respectively. Highest PAHs pollution was found at Jafari while the lowest was detected at Bahrakan, with significant between these 2 stations. Values of mean RT of the dye ranged from 34 (for the blood samples of mudskipper collected from Jafari site) to 78 minutes (for the blood samples of mudskipper collected from Bahrakan). Preliminary results showed a significant difference among stations except between Arvand and Zangi. Osmotic fragility curves indicated that erythrocytes collected from mudskippers at Jafari were the most fragile followed by Zangi> Arvand> Samayeli> and Bahrakan. The results suggest that lysosomal membrane change and red blood cell membrane stability in B. dussumieri could be extended as a biomarker of oil pollution in marine biomonitoring programs

Analysis of vitellogenin gene structure in Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) during exposure to Atrazine

Chemical contamination of aquatic environments to EDCs has become a major focus of environmental toxicology research. The exposure of fishes to estrogenic EDCs in aquatic environments is most frequently assessed by analyzing Vitellogenin (Vg) (the egg yolk precursor protein) expression. Therefore, characterization of Vg gene is of high priority for EDCs bio-monitoring. So, we prepared liver tissue samples of Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus for RNA extraction. Following the cDNA synthesis, specifically - designed primers were employed to amplify the Vg gene and ultimately sequence it. The evolutionary analyses of the sequence were performed using MEGA7 software. The obtained results indicated that the designed primers successfully amplified the partial cDNA sequence. Our results indicated that this sequence most probably belongs to the Vg1 form of the gene. Moreover, it was demonstrated that Caspian roach and Petroleuciscus esfahani share a common ancestor. Noteworthy, the study of Vg gene would be helpful to understand the molecular mechanisms of development and would be used to establish a bio-monitoring tool for detection of exposure to different EDCs

Comparison of antibacterial activities of Ircinia mutans extracts in two different seasons from Kish Island, Persian Gulf, Iran

Sponges, which constitute the phylum Porifera, are the most primitive of the multicellular animals, among all marine organisms screened. Marine sponges produce the largest number of structurally diversified natural products. In this study we investigated in vitro antimicrobial activity of Ircinia mutans collected from the Kish Island in the Persian Gulf against strains of bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC 15224), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 25619), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 1764), and Bacillus subtilis spizizenii (ATCC 6633). Diethyl etter, methanol and aqueous extracts of sponge were evaluated by using the Bacterial Broth Dilution Method. The results showed that the aqueous extracts didn’t have any antibacterial activity. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of the winter diethyl etter extract was 2 mg/ml for E.coli and 20 mg/ml for P. aeruginosa, whereas the summer diethyl etter extract and both of methanol extracts did not show any activity. The MIC and MBC (Minimum Bacterial Concentration) of summer diethyl etter extracts were 2 mg/ml and 3mg/ml against S. aureus; and 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml when tested on B. subtilis. The MIC and MBC of winter diethyl etter extracts were measured as 1.5 mg/ml and 2mg/ml against S. aurous; and 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml when examined on B. subtilis. Summer and winter methanol and aqueous extracts of I. mutans did not show any activity against these bacteria. Therefore secondary metabolite solutions in diethyl etter contain components with antibacterial properties and can be used as antibiotics products

First record of Limnodrilus claparedeianus ratzel, 1868 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: tubificidae) from Anzali wetland, Guilan Province, Iran

Oligochaeta worms are important organisms in aquatic ecosystem. Their omnipresence makes them as an indicator of environmental changes and health of aquatic ecosystem. The members of the family Tubificidae and in particular, genus Limnodrilus are considered as the most tolerant oligochaets to aquatic pollution. Therefore identification and biological characteristics of this taxon are of great help to evaluate the ecosystem of water bodies. Limnodrilus claparedeianus were collected from Anzali Wetland with a grab of 0.04 m2 capacity at 13 stations from August 2012 through June 2013. Penis sheath was one of the main characteristics to identify them. Results showed their maximum and the minimum density in spring (601.27 ± 466.8346 Ind.m-2) and in autumn (156.12 ± 136.3 Ind.m-2) respectively which was significantly different (P<0.05). Comparative spatial distribution of L. claparedeianus among 13 stations revealed significant differences in the west stations (P<0.05). According to the results, correlation analysis did not exhibit any relation between abundance of L. claparedeianus and total organic matter, abundance of the species and percentage of silt in substrate sediment

Histopathological effects and toxicity of atrazine herbicide in Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum, fry

This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of atrazine herbicide on the fry of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum, Kamensky, 1901). First the 96-h LC50 of the fry were exposed to atrazine at the concentration of 24.95 ppm was determined. Then the toxicity of this herbicide on Caspian kutum fry exposed to the concentration of 12.47ppm (1/2 LC50), for four days was measured and compared with a control group. Comparison of the length, weight and condition factor showed no significant differences between atrazine exposed and control group. The concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl- in the whole body of fry in control and atrazine exposure groups were as the following order: Ca2+>K+>Na+>Cl->Mg2+ and Ca2+>Na+>K+>Mg2+>Cl-, respectively. Results showed that the concentration of all these ions were higher in atrazine exposure group than control group, except for Cl-, and the only significant differences was found in Na+ concentration. Major histopathological effects of atrazine on the gills were hyperplasia and thickening of the filaments, separation of the pavement cells of the lamellae epithelium from the pillar cells and swelling of the epithelial cells. Results of the present study showed that atrazine could affect the ion composition of the body, and caused major damages in gill epithelium even at sublethal concentration and acute exposure, but had no effects on the growth parameters