Extraction isolation and pharmacological evaluation of few seaweeds and seagrasses from chilika lagoon Odisha

Abstract

Odisha is a maritime state having 480 km of coastline and is naturally blessed with newlineextensive system of creeks, estuaries, mangroves and brackish water lagoons. Chilika newlinelagoon is known for its rich sources of biodiversity. Chilika, the largest brackish water newlinelagoon of India, is a wetland of international repute. It is one of the hotspot of biodiversity newlinein the country and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species are available in this newlinelagoon. It is one of the Mega diverse lagoons of the country as well as of Asia. There are newlineabout 57 species of seagrass and 10,000 kinds of seaweeds found all over the world. Over newline30 species can be found within Australian waters. Approximately, 271 genera and 1153 newlinespecies of marine algae, including forms and varieties have been enumerated till date from newlinethe Indian waters. Five species of seagrass are found in the Chilika lagoon these are newlineHalophila beccarii, Halophila minor, Halophila ovalis, Holodule pinifolia and Halodule newlineuninervis and 14 species of seaweed of which 8 from Chlorophyceae (green algae) and 6 newlinefrom Rhodophyceae (red seaweed) . The marine plants has also be used against various biological diseases like newlineantiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, anticoagulant, antioxidant activities, newlineanticancer and antifouling activities. Their recent utilization increases in cattle, poultry, newlinehatcheries and other farm animals. In modern times seaweeds are used for treatment of newlinewaste water to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus containing compounds. The other use of newlineseagrasses is absorption of heavy metals. It can absorb toxic metals from sea water and newlinestored it in their different tissues. newline