# In vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and purified fractions from the marine sponge Suberites aff. latus (Demospongiae, Suberitida, Suberitidae) from Ica, Peru

## TL;DR

This study shows that extracts from a marine sponge found in Peru have strong antibacterial properties, especially against certain harmful bacteria.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific fractions from a Peruvian marine sponge with potent antibacterial activity against key pathogens.

## Key findings

- Fraction F6 of specimen 01J showed high activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Fraction F3 of specimen 02J was effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- Chemical analysis detected alkaloids and saponins in the sponge samples.

## Abstract

Marine sponges constitute a recognized source of metabolites with potential antibacterial activity. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of the marine sponge Suberites aff. latus from Ica, Peru, was evaluated. Lyophilized sponge samples were extracted using dichloromethane:methanol (1:1), and fractionated by solid-phase extraction into seven fractions (F1-F7), ranging from aqueous to organic polarity. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined against Gram-positive/negative bacterial strains from the ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) collection. The results showed that the highest activity was observed in fraction F6 of specimen 01J against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as in fraction F3 of specimen 02J against K. pneumoniae. Qualitative chemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins in the samples. These findings highlight the potential of Suberites aff. latus from the Peruvian coast as a promising source of antibacterial compounds.

Las esponjas marinas constituyen una fuente reconocida de metabolitos con potencial actividad antibacteriana. En el presente estudio se evaluó la actividad antibacteriana de la esponja marina Suberites aff. latus de Ica, Perú. Las muestras de esponja liofilizadas se extrajeron utilizando diclorometano:metanol (1:1), y se fraccionaron mediante extracción en fase sólida en siete fracciones (F1-F7), que iban de la polaridad acuosa a la orgánica. Se determinó la concentración mínima inhibitoria frente a cepas bacterianas Grampositivas/negativas de colección ATCC (American Type Culture Collection). Los resultados mostraron que la mayor actividad fue observada en la fracción F6 del espécimen 01J frente a Klebsiella pneumoniae y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, así como en la fracción F3 del espécimen 02J frente a K. pneumoniae. El análisis químico cualitativo reveló la presencia de alcaloides y saponinas en las muestras. Estos hallazgos ponen de relieve el potencial de Suberites aff. latus de la costa peruana como fuente prometedora de compuestos antibacterianos.