Heatmap Analysis of Summer Environmental Physicochemical Factors and Their Correlation with Antibacterial Activity of Symbiodinium sp. in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran

2 Marine biology group, Faculty of marine science, Tarbiat Modares University, Mazandaran, Noor. Av. Emamreza.

3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Qom University, Qom, Iran

10.48308/pae.2025.238526.1105

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of physicochemical parameters on the antibacterial activity of Symbiodinium sp. in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman during the summer season. Symbiodinium sp., a crucial symbiont in coral ecosystems, plays an essential role in marine environments, contributing significantly to the health and stability of coral reef ecosystems. Samples of Symbiodinium sp. were collected from the anemone Stichodactyla haddoni at three locations: Qeshm Island, Hormuz Island, and Chabahar Bay. Additionally, laboratory-cultured Symbiodinium sp. was included for comparative analysis. Physicochemical parameters, including temperature, salinity, and pH, were assessed, revealing significant differences across the sampling sites. Specifically, the Persian Gulf exhibited higher temperatures and salinity levels compared to the Gulf of Oman. The antibacterial activity of the algae extracts was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The results indicated that extracts of Symbiodinium sp. isolated from Hormuz Island exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity when compared to laboratory-cultured samples. However, the overall antibacterial efficacy of these extracts was found to be significantly weaker than that of established antibiotics, such as penicillin. These findings underscore the influence of environmental factors, particularly temperature and salinity, on the antibacterial properties of Symbiodinium sp. and offer valuable insights into its potential for biotechnological applications. Moreover, the study highlights the untapped potential of Symbiodinium sp. as a source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties, which could pave the way for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. This research also emphasizes the importance of sustainable environmental management strategies to protect coral reef ecosystems, particularly in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, regions of high ecological and economic importance.

Keywords

References

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Plant, Algae, and Environment
Volume 9, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 49-61

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