EXPLORATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIBIOFILM POTENTIALITY OF WOOD ALGAE FOUND IN TRIPURA

Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium that has intestinal and extra intestinal infections in human beings and also has resistance to most of the antibiotics used. In view of the growing need to develop natural antimicrobial agents, the following study was designed to test the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and minimum inhibitory concentration properties of wood algae extract in a laboratory setting. The laboratory experiment or practical part of the study was conducted using E. coli and laboratory procedures that involve the preparation of nutrient broth and nutrient agar, sub-culturing, CFU assay, Gram staining, antibiotic sensitivity test, zone of inhibition, broth microdilution, or MIC assay, and biofilm assay. The study found that the wood algae extract resulted in a significant inhibition of the growth of the bacteria in broth and agar, with low CFU and OD in some concentrations, including about 6 µL. Although no significant zone of inhibition was observed when compared to standard antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, the extract demonstrated a mild antibacterial and antibiofilm effect against E. coli. Overall, the findings suggest that wood algae water extract possesses limited but detectable antibacterial activity and may serve as a potential natural source for further antimicrobial research. The study highlights the need for advanced investigations to isolate active compounds and enhance their efficacy for possible applications in antimicrobial therapy.