Antibacterial properties of a glycolipid-rich extract and active principle from Nunavik collections of the macroalgae Fucus evanescens C. Agardh (Fucaceae)

Can J Microbiol. 2011 Sep;57(9):745-9. doi: 10.1139/w11-065. Epub 2011 Aug 22.

Abstract

This study investigated the antibacterial activity of glycolipid-rich extracts of the brown macroalga Fucus evanescens in cell culture. Accessions were collected on the Arctic coast of Ungava Bay, Nunavik, Quebec. The crude ethyl acetate extract of these accessions showed strong antibacterial activity (≥4 log(10) cfu) against Hemophilus influenzae , Legionella pneumophila , Propionibacterium acnes (ATCC and clinical isolate), and Streptococcus pyogenes at 100 µg/mL. This algal extract inhibited by 3 log(10) Clostridium difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , whereas Bacillus cereus , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were not significantly affected. Further investigations of the activity of a glycolipid-rich fraction, extracted with dichloromethane, against Propionibacterium acnes showed an MIC(100) of 50 µg/mL, with an inhibition of more than 99% at only 7.8 µg/mL. The main active compound, a β-d-galactosyl O-linked glycolipid, was synthesized for the bioassay and showed an MIC(100) of 50 µg/mL but lost its activity more quickly with only 50% of inhibition at 12.5 µg/mL. Therefore, the semipurified F. evanescens extract could be a good choice for future research into the development of alternative treatments for acne therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bays
  • Biological Products / metabolism
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Fucus / metabolism*
  • Haemophilus influenzae / drug effects
  • Haemophilus influenzae / growth & development
  • Haemophilus influenzae / isolation & purification
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / drug effects
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / growth & development
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / isolation & purification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Propionibacterium acnes / drug effects
  • Propionibacterium acnes / growth & development
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / growth & development
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification
  • Quebec
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / drug effects
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / growth & development
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biological Products