Antimicrobial Activity of Cladophora Glomerata and Chara Vulgaris Against Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi

There are several significant secondary metabolites found in freshwater macroalgae, which remain an unexplored source of therapeutic substances. The present study investigated the antimicrobial activity of two different species of macroalgae, Cladophora glomerata and Chara vulgaris. These were extracted using acetonitrile and tested against one Gram-positive bacterium, one Gram-negative bacterium, and one type of fungus using the well diffusion technique. Eleven different concentrations of the algal extract (2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 mg/mL) were prepared for the study. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyses the components of the extracts. The results showed that the extract of Cladophora glomerata and Chara vulgaris prepared with acetonitrile was most effective against the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans (ATCC: 10231) at a concentration of 15 mg/mL, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC: 25923) at 25 mg/mL, and Escherichia coli (ATCC: 35218) at 30 mg/mL. Furthermore, the extract of Cladophora glomerata was more effective against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Numerous chemical components with antibacterial and antifungal properties were identified in the extracts. These included alkaloids, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, benzenes, amines, fatty acids, alkenes, furans, heterocycles, and other natural compounds. The antimicrobial investigation of Cladophora glomerata and Chara vulgaris demonstrated a significant effect in inhibiting or killing bacteria and fungi.