Anthelmintic Activity of Tropical Macroalgae Ulva spp. Against Haemonchus contortus in Sheep

Haemonchosis is a parasitic disease that results in severe anemia, and acute disease outbreaks leading to economic losses. It is the role of the pathogenic nematode parasite found in sheep's abomasum, Haemonchus contortus, which is frequently eradicated by administration of bio-compounds with anthelmintic action, such as tropical marine vegetation. The study is aimed to investigate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of tropical macroalgae Ulva spp., which is commonly found in the south of Java Island, Indonesia, against H. contortus. The water-based infusion of freeze-dried Ulva spp. samples were tested at a concentration of 0, 2, 4, and 6 dry matter based (w/v) respectively in a total volume of 5 mL of 0.9 sodium chloride into the petri dishes, and 0.5 mg/mL of albendazole as a positive control. The results showed that the water-based Ulva spp. extract significantly inhibited the motility of the adult worms by 4 and 6 (w/v). Nevertheless, neither 4 nor 6 has matched the efficacy of albendazole. There was a negative correlation (P = 0.0001) between the number of live worms (y) and the concentration (x) of Ulva's infusion (r = -0.3468) with regression equation y = 97.71-3.645x. It was revealed that as concentration increased, the proportion of living worms decreased. This study showed L, a*, and b* color value coordinates of Ulva were 49.4, -9.05, and 18.58, respectively. The freeze-drying can maintain the natural green color of Ulva spp. These findings indicate that the water-based Ulva spp. the extract has the potential to be employed as a bio-anthelmintic. © 2024 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.