Competitive antibacterial activity of two Indian major carps and two Chinese carps fish mucus against common pathogenic bacteria at aquaculture pond

Abstract

A search for antibacterial activity of carp fish mucus was performed for different protein concentrations, against four different bacterial strains Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sorbia, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Vibrio anguillarum. Protein concentrations (3.40 mg/ml) in catla mucus samples were found higher than the protein concentrations (3.12 mg/ml) of rohu mucus samples when tested by Bicinchoninic assay (BCA). Antibacterial activity was detected in mucus samples of four carp fish species, against the four bacterial strains. The results of this study indicate that the mucus of carp fish contain one or several components (protein, beneficial bacteria and other chemical component) with antibacterial activity. These bioactive substances may play an important role in the ability of mucus to defend carp fish against pathogenic bacteria or microorganisms. However, more investigation is necessary to confirm the antibacterial activity in carp fish mucus at different protein concentration and to purify and characterize the active components.