Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Indian seagrasses against urinary tract pathogens

Seagrasses have a long history of being used for a variety of remedial purposes, such as the fever, skin diseases, muscle pains, wounds and stomach problems. Hence it is essential to study their bioactive metabolites and medicinal properties when considering their food applications. The chemical composition of six seagrasses were determined and evaluated for their potential to urinary tract infection bacteria (UTI). The chemical composition determined by GC–MS yielded 24 compounds. For the first time 4H-Pyran-4-one-2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl- (6.68%), d-allose (3.67%) and 5-Caranol, trans,trans-(+)- (2.14%) were identified from Halodule pinifolia. d-Allose is a aldo-hexose (sugar) used as a potential inhibitor of glycosidases and low-calorie carbohydrate sweeteners. Among the six seagrasses tested, H. pinifolia and Cymodocea rotundata exhibited predominant growth inhibitory activity against all the UTI bacteria. This study shows the presence of various biological metabolites in tested seagrasses that can be used effectively in food and pharmacological industries.