Evaluation of antimicrobial activity if earthworm t issue extract of Eudrilus eugeniae

As earlier reported that the defense system of eart hworm is found in their coelomic fluid. Different p roteins and peptides (lysozyme and fetidins) have been isolated in different species of earthworm, responsible for their antibacterial activity. Antibacterial & antifungal activities of the whole tissue extract of earthworm , Eudrilus eugeniae was tested using well diffusion method. Ni ne species are selected for antimicrobial screening and two species are for antifungal screening .The bacterial cultures were maintained on nutrient agar slant an d the fungal strains were maintained on Sabovraud dextrose agar slant at 4°C as well as at -20°C by making glycerol stocks. Earthworm paste at a dose of 10mg/ml was able to in hibit the growth of bacteria. Among nine bacterial isolates only five species responded to earthworm extract. M aximum antibacterial activity was found with gram n Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29 ± 1mm), which was almost similar to the standard antibiotic Streptomycin. (0.5 mm), Minimum antibacterial activity 21.5±1.5 mm wa s obtained with the gram positive Staphylococcus a ureus. Earthworm extract didn’t not express any inhibition on Streptococcus pyrogenes, Enterococcus faecalis , Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli. No ant ifungal activity was observed against Candida albic ans and Aspergillus niger. Total concentration of protein w as found 70 mg/100 gm .Thus these results clearly indicates that the earthworm tissue extract have good antibacteria l potential and the bioactive compounds to inhibit the growth of bacteria.