title: Antibacterial properties of the skin mucus of the freshwater fishes, Rita rita and Channa punctatus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The skin mucus of Rita rita and Channa punctatus was investigated to explore the possibilities of its antibacterial properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin mucus was extracted in acidic solvents (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and 3% acetic acid) and in triple distilled water (aqueous medium). The antibacterial activity of the mucus extracts was analyzed, using disc diffusion method, against five strains of bacteria--the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus; and the Gram negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both Rita rita and Channa punctatus, the skin mucus extracted in acidic solvents as well as in aqueous medium show antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus. Nevertheless, the activity is higher in acidic solvents than that in aqueous medium. The acidic mucus extracts of Rita rita, show antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that fish skin mucus have bactericidal properties and thus play important role in the protection of fish against the invasion of pathogens. Fish skin mucus could thus be regarded as a potential source of novel antibacterial components.
authors.affiliation: Skin Physiology Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Nigam
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitial
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mitial
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D052978:Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005618:Fresh Water; D009093:Mucus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012997:Solvents