Available online www.jocpr.com Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2014, 6(8):28-38 Research Article ISSN : 0975-7384 CODEN(USA) : JCPRC5 28 Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae tissue extract 1* Praval Singh Chauhan, 2 Jyoti Tomar, 3 G. B. K. S. Prasad and 1 O. P. Agrawal 1 School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, MP, India 2 Department of Chemistry & Environmental Sciences, ITM University, Gwalior, India 3 School of Studies in Biochemistry, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, MP, India _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT As earlier reported that the defense system of earthworm is found in their coelomic fluid. Different proteins and peptides (lysozyme and fetidins) have been isolated in different species of earthworm, responsible for their antibacterial activity. Antibacterial & antifungal activities of the whole tissue extract of earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae was tested using well diffusion method. Nine species were selected for antimicrobial screening and two for antifungal screening. The bacterial cultures were maintained on nutrient agar slant and the fungal strains were maintained on Sabouraud dextrose agar slant at 4°C as well as at -20°C by making glycerol stocks. Earthworm paste at a dose of 10mg/ml was able to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Among nine bacterial isolates only five species responded to earthworm extract. Maximum antibacterial activity was found with gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29 ± 1mm), which was almost similar to the standard antibiotic Streptomycin. (29.5±0.5 mm), Minimum antibacterial activity 21.5±1.5 mm was obtained with the gram positive Staphylococcus aureus. Earthworm extract didn’t not express any inhibition on Streptococcus pyrogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli. No antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Total concentration of protein was found 70 mg/100 gm. Thus these results clearly indicates that the earthworm tissue extract have good antibacterial potential and the bioactive compounds to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Key words: Eudrilus eugeniae, antimicrobial activity, fungal and bacteria strains. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Earthworm increases the soil fertility and is often referred to as “farmer’s friend” or soil engineers. Earthworm has been recognized in oriental medicine as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic agent [1-3]. In the 700 million years of existence, earthworms have evolved in the environment replete with microorganisms, some of which threatening their existence. To survive themselves in such an environment, earthworms possess humoral as well as cellular immune system against these microorganisms. Defense system of earthworm is found in their coelomic fluid [4]. Different proteins and peptides (lysozyme and fetidins) have been discovered in different species, are responsible for their antibacterial activity [5&6]. Earthworm Perionyx excavates contains amazing antimicrobial activity due to their high protein, nitrogen and fat content [7]. Cho et al. (1998) identified the first antimicrobial peptide (lumbricin I) from the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus. Lumbricin I is considered as a proline-rich antimicrobial peptide containing 62 amino acids including proline (15%) with a molecular weight of 7231 Da. [8]. Lumbricin I showed antimicrobial activity in-vitro against a broad spectrum of microorganisms without hemolytic activity [9]. The gut extracts of earthworms have antibacterial and antifungal activity [9]. In 2003, Wang et al. isolated PP1 and OEP 3121(antibacterial peptide) from earthworms