Antibacterial and Antioxidant Characteristics of Pigments and Coelomic Fluid of Sea Urchin, Echinodermata Mathaei Species, from the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Background & Aims: Sea urchin immune responses are directly exposed to potentially pathogenic<br /> microorganisms and develop defence responses mainly based on immunocytes and humoral factors<br /> contained in the coelomic fluid. In addition, the polyhydroxylated 1, 4-naphthoquinone pigments are found<br /> to possess excellent antimicrobial, antialgal and antioxidant activities. The present research aimed to study<br /> the bioactive potentials (antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic) of coelomic fluid and pigments shells and<br /> spines of sea urchin, Echinodermata mathaei species.<br /> Methods: The coelomic fluid and pigments shell and spine of sea urchin were isolated using buffered mode<br /> and hydrogen chloride (HCl), respectively. Then, antioxidant [reducing power, DPPH radical (1, 1-diphenyl<br /> 2-picryhydrazyl) scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity), antibacterial (minimum inhibitory<br /> concentration or MIC) and cytotoxic potentials were evaluated.<br /> Results: The free cells of the coelomic fluid had the highest activity in the all antioxidant methods, and<br /> the coelomocyte lysate had the highest antibacterial activity. All the differences were significant at the<br /> level of P < 0.05.<br /> Conclusion: The result of this research indicated that coelomic fluid and pigments shell and spine of sea<br /> urchin, Echinodermata mathaei species, have potent antioxidant activity and the ability for scavenging<br /> cytotoxic effects. This suggests that sea urchin shells and spines, most of which are discarded as waste after<br /> removal of gonads, would be a new bioresource for natural antioxidants