Abstract

The present study was to evaluate the in-vitro antibacterial activity of chitosan against clinical pathogens. Chitosan was extracted from the tunic of Phallusia nigra the marine black tunicate by utilizing standard protocol. Chitosan is a versatile natural polysaccharide, the second most abundant, biocompatible, biodegradable and non-toxic natural polymer which made wide applicability in conventional pharmaceutics as a potential formulation excipient. The extracted chitosan was affirmed through Fourier Transform Infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The FT-IR spectrum of chitosan was resolved and the characterization was done and it was compared with standards. Chitosan, those prepared in this study may display potential antibacterial activity against various pathogens. Through testing, the crude chitosan demonstrated good inhibition activities against clinical, Vibrio cholarae (9.5 mm), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (8.9 mm) at the concentration of 1 mg/ml by determining the zone of inhibition. These outcomes showed that the high potential of chitosan biopolymer as an antibacterial agent against different clinical pathogens.

Key words: Ascidians, chitosan, antibacterial activities, Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR).