Molecular docking and GC-MS profiling of seaweed bioactive components: Unraveling antibacterial and antibiofilm activity in carbohydrate-rich extracts

Abstract

In this study, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of seaweed species, Corallina officinalis, Padina pavonica, and Caulerpa lentillifera, were systematically evaluated. Eleven clinically resistant bacterial strains, representing both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, were tested to assess the broad-spectrum efficacy of the extracts. Phytochemical characterization using GC–MS and FTIR analyses revealed several bioactive compounds that may be responsible for the observed antimicrobial effects, including significant inhibition of biofilm formation. Among the tested samples, the methanolic extract of P. pavonica exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 70 mg/mL against Streptococcus pyogenes and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 160 mg/mL against Bacillus velezensis. These findings suggest that marine algae represent a valuable source of novel antimicrobial agents with potential pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Furthermore, molecular docking results provide additional insight into the possible mechanisms of action, supporting the development of seaweed-derived compounds as promising candidates for future therapeutic interventions.