Ecklonia cava Extract Enhances Gut Regeneration in the Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Abstract

Visceral evisceration and regeneration is a unique phenomenon in holothurians. Phlorotannin, is hypothesized to enhance the recovery process through its various bioactivities. In this study, crude extract from Ecklonia cava was investigated for enhancement activity on the gut regeneration process in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. The screening results showed crude extract has the strongest activity on gut growth and improved resistant to ulceration. Crude extract and raw E. cava groups yielded average gut growths of 10.30±0.92a mgday-1 and 10.95±1.66a mgday-1 respectively. Fraction 2 had the lowest average gut weight of 4.68±0.95b mg day-1. Second part of the experiment focused on the relationship between concentration and regeneration rate. The result showed that the regeneration rate increased with concentration. After 27 days of treatment, the gut regeneration efficiency of concentrations 1 mgmL-1, 2 mgmL-1, and 3 mgmL-1, were 51.9%, 67.6% and 80.4% respectively. On the other hand, concentrations of 5 mgmL-1, 10 mgmL-1and 15 mgmL-1 attained gut regenerations efficiency of 79.5%, 100.0% and 99.5% respectively. The control group which was fed with maintenance feed, only yielded gut growth of 48.7%. By comparing the efficiency of different concentrations on gut regeneration, the 10 mgmL-1 crude extract showed optimal result. Therefore, it can be concluded that the crude extract has enhanced gut regeneration.