Isolation of the antibacterial substance from the mucus of the Philippine land snails.

Date of Publication

2001

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemistry

Subject Categories

Chemicals and Drugs

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Chemistry

Thesis Adviser

Nancy Llanos

Defense Panel Chair

Consolacion Y. Ragasa

Defense Panel Member

Emmanuel Garcia
Nelson Villarante

Abstract/Summary

A glycoprotein isolated from the mucus secretion of African giant snails Achatina fulica Ferussac recently captured in Okinawa, Japan, was found to have activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Based on these studies, the mucus secretion of three land snails belonging to Sub-Class Pulmonata, Order Stylommatophora-Achatina fulica, Cochlostyla metafomis, and Cochlostyla metaformis ovularis were studied. The objective is to be able to isolate components with similar activity. The snails were gathered from Silang, Cavite, kept alive in the laboratory, and fed with vegetables. Mucus secretion was enhanced by stimulating the collar of the snail with a spatula. Qualitative analysis shows that the crude mucus samples were a mixture of glycoproteins with an isoelectric pH between 4-5. The water-soluble fraction was extracted using Tris-HCl buffer (pH = 8.0) and precipitated using 50 percent and 90 percent ammonium sulfate saturation. Each fraction was tested for activity against Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coli. Quantitative analysis on each fraction was done using Anthrone-Sulfuric Acid Method and UV absorption of proteins at 280 nm. The electrophoretic patterns were compared using sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Differences in the electrophoretic patterns account for the differences in antimicrobial activities. Gel filtration chromatography was done to further purify the samples and to determine the molecular weight of each fraction.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Print

Accession Number

TG03224

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

85 leaves ; 28 cm.

Keywords

Snails; Gastropoda; Mucus; Antibacterial agents

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