The antimicrobial activity is widespread among marine seaweeds. However,
antimicrobial defenses of marine micro algae are largely uncharacterized for locally
available seaweed species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial
activity of Caulerpa racemosa (‘Latok Lada’), an edible green seaweed species
available in Langkawi Island, Kedah. Methanol extracts of the dried samples of C.
racemosa was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
aureginosa, Bacillus subtilis and MRSA (Methilcillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus). Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) extracts of fresh sample of C. racemosa was
tested against four different fungi; Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida
tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans. C. racemosa showed good antibacterial
activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested, with a significant
antimicrobial effect against B. subtilis (ZI=3-9mm), S. aureus (ZI=3-9mm), P.
aureginosa (ZI=1-3mm) and MRSA (ZI=3-6mm). C. racemosa did not demonstrate
any antifungal properties against any of the four fungi tested. Further studies needs to
be performed on other types of bacteria and fungi as well as utilizing different
extraction methods to further investigate the antimicrobial properties of C. racemosa.
These preliminary results showed promising trend of antimicrobial properties in local
seaweeds species collected in Langkawi coastline
