Abstract
The antibacterial and antifungal activities of brown alga (Zonaria tournefortii) against 4-pathogenic fungi [Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Scytalidium dimidiatum and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis] and several multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were investigated. Aqueous extract of fresh alga (Zonaria tournefortii) and the fractions (obtained after crude extract purification by flash chromatography using C18 column) were tested for antimicrobial activity. The Z tournefortii aqueous extract was highly active against MRSA and two fungi Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. On fractionation, 6-fractions (F1-F6) of crude extract were obtained, and amongst them F2 and F3 were highly active against MRSA, and F2 had the strongest activity. Thus Z. tournefortii is promising candidate for antimicrobial agents especially against human and animal MRSA, C. albicans and C. neoformans.