Atlantic Sponges

Frequently, one does not have to look very far to find that the wonders of nature and science are not so mystified in the depths of nescience. While scientists may have to travel abyssal depths (7000 meters or more!) to discover the realm of porifera, many porifera dwell in shallow waters. In the shallow waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, porifera are abundant. However, these porifera are also enriched with chemical compounds that render them priceless in a pursuit for more resistant anti-biotics and a cure for terminal diseases.

Within the waters of the world, thousands of invertebrates have been acknowledged for anti-microbial activity. Porifera species are the most noted of these invertebrates. As compounds are isolated from Atlantic sponges, bioactivity against algae, fish, invertebrates, and microorganisms have been demonstrated. The metabolites produced by sponges are plentiful. As more species are discovered to have antimicrobial activity, the pharmacological labs are being infiltrated by a less synthetic medicine, one that Mother Nature has given us since the PreCambrian, had we only sought to reveal it. But now, the barriers of technology have been defied, and the real potential of sponges as medicine has been revealed.

In recent studies conducted by Dr. Eduardo Hajdu, of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and his colleagues, ninety-five percent of twenty-one species tested demonstrated anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, or other anti-microbial activity. If such results were applied to the remainder of sponge species, ninety-five percent of all sponges may offer natural bio-products that are within the grasp of modern science. The sample porifera were recommened for further testing by pharmaceutical scientists, and in a few more years, the leading prescription anti-biotic may be Poriferal. Amazingly, such strong bioactivity was detected in samples relatively in the same vicinity, the warm waters of Praia do Forno Bay, 170 kilometers east of Rio de Janeiro.

After collection, the sponges were tested immediately or frozen for labratory investigation. The sponges then took a trip through a methanol extractor, a centrifuge, and petri dishes. Following preparation, the sponges were inoculated with bacteria. Yeast was also tested against the sample species.

Of the twenty-one species tested, only one demonstrated no apparent anti-microbial activity. This species was Cinachyrella alloclada. Certain conditions affected the bioactivity of the sponges. Interestingly, location of habitat and growth structure were not important factors. When mucus was created by sponges, antimicrobial activity was more substantiated. Also, bacteria were generally more sensitive to sponge compounds than the fungi. Currently, nine species, which demonstrated the most substantial anti-microbial activity are recommened to undergo pharmacological investigation. These species are:

• Monanchora arbuscula

• Tedania ignis

• Tedania sp...cf

• Arenosclera sp.

• Amphimedon Viridis

• Polymastia janeirensis

• Aplysina fulva

• Pseudaxinella lunaecharta

• Mycale arenosa

Species noted for both antibacterial and antifungal activity were Monanchora arbuscula and Arenosclera sp. Stronger antibacterial activity was displayed by Pseudaxinella lunaecharta, Mycale arenosa, and Aplysina fulva. Stronger antifungal activity was demonstrated by Tedania sp. and Chelonaplysilla erecta. A compound that was manifested in antibacterial activity was chloramphenicol. Yeasts were inhibited by cycloheximide. It was also noted that extracts from methanol were more bioactive than extracts from aqueous samples.

However, other studies have noted that results are not always consistent between species. A change in conditions such as season may be responsible.

In nature, these compounds may be utilized for several purposes. The most obvious use is for warding off predators or dangerous microbes. Amazingly, one species, Polymastia janeirensis, if damaged, secretes a highly anti-microbial liquid. One species of sponge, Siphonodictyon sp., uses its secretions to preven the growth of coral within its habit. If such activity occurs in nature, could not it be used to benefit mankind, with the use of technology and science?

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The creators of this web page enjoyed reading the articles sent to us by Dr. Eduardo Hajdu on this topic. We thank him for his positive encouragement and interaction with us throughout the project.