Isolation and identification of MDR–Mycobacterium tuberculosis and screening of partially characterised antimycobacterial compounds from chosen marine micro algae

ObjectiveTo isolate the multiple drug resistance (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and to screen for the bioactive compounds extracted from marine microalgae.MethodsSixty seven collected samples that were confirmed by 16S rDNA analysis as positive with M. tuberculosis infection were subjected to sensitivity test against commercially used front line and second line drugs by absolute concentration method using LJ slants. Seven bacterial isolates numbered I-78, I-101, I-127, I-173, I-202, I-262, I-327 showed resistant for more than 3 drugs were considered as MDR M. tuberculosis. Thus the percentage of 10.4 were recorded MDRTB. Fifteen marine micro algal extracts were screened for antimycobacterial activity and partial characterization of the active principles was done.ResultsThe percentage contribution of marine micro algal species on the extraction of antimycobacterials indicated Isochrysis galbana (I. galbana) contain rich bioactive compounds and accounted for 60% inhibition of the total isolates. The percentage contribution of solvents on the extraction of antimicrobials from I. galbana showed that the methanol, chloroform, n-Butanol showed maximum of extraction. The purified eluted compounds (Rf 0.43) from TLC plate were chromatographed by gas chromatography. The eluted sterol compounds showed 13 unsaturated sterols with 3 major sterols.ConclusionsThe present study indicates the presence of unsaturated fatty acids may have the effect on MDR M. tuberculosis, indicating a potential natural alternative to antibiotics.