Biological and Chemical Study of Some Soft Corals and Sponges Collected in Mauritian Waters

Abstract

Thirty-seven samples of soft corals and sponges collected in July 2004 between the north and west coasts of Mauritius at depths varying from 6-26 metres have been biologically screened against inhibition of urchin egg cell division, brine shrimp lethality test, antiacetylcholinesterase test and against two bacteria Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus. The sponges Rhabdastrella sp. aff. providentiae (Dendy) (M03 SP3 FF) and Pericharax heterorhaphis (M03 SP4 FF) were found to be active against Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus respectively at a concentration of 1 μg/mL and the sponge Liosina paradoxa (M03 SP3
BC) exhibited anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. Fractionation and purification of the crude
extract of the soft coral M03 SC1 GB using flash, open column and high performance liquid
chromatography resulted in the isolation of one secondary metabolite (Guaianediol). Seventeen sponges have also been taxonomically identified.

Keywords: Soft corals, sponges, taxonomy, secondary metabolite, biological screening, Mauritius

West Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 115-122