Development of a rapid 'mollusc foot adherence bioassay' for detecting potent antifouling bioactive compounds

Abstract

Developing potent antifouling compounds from marine organisms has several R&D applications. The 'foot stimulating bioassay' for assessing the antifouling activity suffers interference with the reflex system of test organisms. The assay was modified with a new, rapid 'mollusc foot adherence technique' in order to measure the activities of potent marine natural products (MNPs). The common limpet, Patella vulgata was used as the test organism to detect the foot adherence. In the experiments with methanol extract of holothuria, Holothuria scabra, the foot adherence of P. vulgata was completely prevented at a concentration of 4.2 mg/ml. For detecting the potent activity, the assay plates require minimum quantity of test compound and the assay can be completed within one hour. In addition, after the evaluation of activity, the relative toxicity can also be estimated based on the per cent regaining ability of test organism in fresh seawater. This will lead to a rapid and sensitive evaluation of the MNPs when compared to the conventional 'foot stimulating bioassay' system.