In vivo Antiviral Activity of Polysaccharide from the Indian Green Alga, Acrosiphonia orientalis (J. Agardh): Potential Implication in Shrimp Disease Management

Abstract

Abstract: The polysaccharide extracted from the marine green algae, Acrosiphonia orientalis was evaluated for in vivo antiviral activity against the shrimp pathogen, White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). The algal polysaccharide was rationalized with commercial shrimp feed and orally administrated for a period of 14 days followed by the artificial viral challenge experiment. It was found that shrimp fed medicated diet (4g/kg) exhibited better survival rate (88%) over the control (0%). The immune defence factors such as total haemoycte count, differential haemocyte count and phenoloxidase activity was high for shrimp treated with algal polysaccharide. Therefore, it was concluded that the algal polysaccharide can be utilized as prophylactic drug for the management of WSSV. Key words: Acrosiphonia orientalis % Algal polysaccharide % Antiviral activity % Immunostimulant % Haemocyte % Penaeus monodon INTRODUCTION non-specific defence mechanisms [2]. Application of Shrimp aquaculture is an economically important management is a recently developed ecofriendly approach industry, with high international trade value. During the [3]. Many researchers have demonstrated the use of past decade, non scientific shrimp farm intensification and natural polysaccharide to boost up shrimp immunity [3, 4]. improper management strategies have increased the Research pertaining to the immune enhancing mechanism