Antimicrobial Proteins from the Crab Charybdis lucifera (Fabricius, 1798)

The ocean represents a unique resource providing a diverse array of natural products. In the present study antimicrobial proteins was isolated for the first time male and female haemolymph of the crab Charybdis lucifera. Crabs were collected from the Vellar estuarine environment. In antibacterial activity the highest zone of inhibition was recorded in male crab (11 mm) against Escherichia coli and female crab against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lowest zone of inhibition was recorded in female crab (7mm) against Vibrio sp. But the fungal activity 10 different strains was Fusarium moniliforme showing activity (10 mm) rest of them are not showing any activity. After the SDS-PAGE there were two clear bands were detected in the gel that represents proteins of 45 kDa from a female crab C.lucifera hemolymph and 25 kDa proteins of male hemolymph crab of C. lucifera. In the present study indicated that the haemolymph of C.lucifera crabs may potential antibiotics.