In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Sponge Acanthella cavernosa Against Vibrio harveyi

V. harveyi is known as one of the causative agent in marine aquaculture. In this study, the extract from the sponge Acanthella cavernosa was tested for in vitro activity against Vibrio harveyi, marine bacteria. Disc diffusion method was used to carry out the antibacterial assay. Aqueous and methanol extracts of A. cavernosa at various concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 mg mL-1) exhibited anti-V. harveyi activity with inhibition zone diameters in the range of (8.07 ± 0.75 mm – 10.70 ± 0.10 mm) and (8.23 ± 0.38 mm – 16.77 ± 0.35 mm), respectively. Methanol extract showed more inhibitory effect against V. harveyi compared to the aqueous extract. The extract concentration of 9 mg mL-1 exhibited maximum anti-V. harveyi activity in this study. It is the first report for the antibacterial activity of extract of A. cavernosa against V. harveyi. These results suggested that A. cavernosa is a potential source of alternative substance for controlling V. harveyi in shrimp farming.