The potential of Symbiont Ba cteria in Melo melo Gastropod found in Pekalongan Waters as a source of MDR antibacterial active compound

Abstract

The increasing resistance of many pathogenic microorganisms against antibiotics compounds creates an alarming issue in medical world. This concern has created research opportunities in new antibiotics compounds as alternative options. The gastropod Melo melo is a species whose main diet consists of other smaller gastropods. However, Melo-melo does not have any self-defense mechanism save for its thin shell. To protect itself from various pathogenic bacteria existing in its food, Melo melo produces secondary metabolites, which are suspected to contain bioactive compounds with antibacterial properties. This fact puts Melo melo as a marine biota with potential as a source of new antibacterial compounds. This research aims to discover the potency of symbiont bacteria in the gastropod Melo melo with capabilities in producing Multi-drug resistant (MDR) antibacterial compounds. Samples of Melo melo are collected from the vicinity of Pekalongan waters, Central Java, Indonesia. This research begins with the isolation of symbiont bacteria, screening of symbiont bacteria with potency in MDR antibacterial activities, antibacterial test, and isolation of MDR clinical pathogenic bacteria. These protocols are then followed by antibacterial sensitivity test, and identification of bacterial species active against MDR by biochemical test and molecular analysis. Molecular analyses are carried out sequentially by DNA extraction, DNA amplification by PCR, and DNA sequencing. Results of 16S rDNA are analyzed using Genetix program and then followed by sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA. In this research, 11 bacteria in Melo melo are isolated and there are 4 isolates which show antibacterial activities against MDR bacteria from Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacter sp species. Molecular analysis of the most active isolates identifies that isolate PM 26 matches in characteristics with Brevibacterium celere strain KMM 3637 with 89% homology match. On the other hand, biochemical test shows that isolate PM 26 is identical with Bacillus sp. This research concludes that symbiont bacteria found in Melo melo possess antibacterial activities against bacteria of MDR strain.