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Abstract

This study investigates the antibacterial properties of extracts from marine macroalgae, Ulva lactuca (green algae) and Fucus vesiculosus (brown algae), individually and in combination, with a focus on combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The escalating challenge of antibiotic resistance requires the exploration of alternative antimicrobial agents derived from natural sources. Utilizing the agar well diffusion method, the study evaluates the inhibitory effects of the algae extracts on Staphylococcus epidermidis. Chloramphenicol serves as the positive control, while 5% dimethyl sulfoxide acts as the negative control. The combination of Ulva lactuca and Fucus vesiculosus extracts did not exhibit a significantly greater antibacterial effect than Ulva lactuca alone. Chloramphenicol demonstrated strong antibacterial activity, validating the experimental setup. Ulva lactuca displayed significantly higher antibacterial efficacy than Fucus vesiculosus, challenging the initial hypothesis. The observed relationships between Ulva lactuca, Fucus vesiculosus, and their combination suggest complex interactions among bioactive compounds. After analyzing the data through the use of a one-way ANOVA and a Tuckey’s HSD test, it was determined that while Ulva lactuca alone outperformed the combination of both extracts, the combination showed a slight advantage over Fucus vesiculosus alone, hinting at potential synergistic effects. Acknowledging limitations, including equipment constraints and time considerations, emphasizes the need for future studies to address these factors for more robust findings. Despite unexpected outcomes, this research contributes to understanding the intricate dynamics of algae extracts and opens avenues for further exploration in the quest for effective antimicrobial strategies against antibiotic resistance.

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