Antiparasitic Potential of Methanol Extract of Brown Alga Sargassum polycystum (Phaeophyceae) and Its LC-MS/MS Metabolite Profiling

In Southeast Asian nations, cultured hybrid groupers are facing serious infestation by the marine parasitic leech Zeylanicobdella arugamensis (Annelida, Hirudinea). They attach to sucking and biting on surface of skin, paving way for secondary infection upon fish. The objective study is utilize locally available seaweed control leeches. methanol extracts brown alga Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh, 1824 (Phaeophyceae) from Sabah were prepared investigated antiparasitic efficacy against Z. through in vitro bioassay. A total 126 adult leeches host obtained fish hatchery. treated with S. 180 min preparing five different dosages at concentrations 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 mg/mL. was found have high efficacy, resulting 100% mortality over a short period time. It showed highest (total leeches) time limit 0.96 ± 0.44 min, 100 mg/mL extract. Observations behavior positive extract treatments vigorous swimming before mortality. LC-MS/MS analysis used reveal phytochemical composition understand nature main components responsible its activities. 29 metabolites identified via Q Exactive HF Orbitrap mass spectrometry, including two flavonoids (ephedrannin hinokiflavone), organoarsenics (1-dimethylarsinoyl-heptadecane cacodylic acid), four heterocyclic compounds, chlorophyll breakdown products. presence bioactive compounds could increase rate Thus, this concludes that activities can be effectively applied treatment grouper aquaculture farms sustainable aquaculture.