Efficacy Of Ficus benghalensis Aerial root Against Seafood Pathogens As A Biopreservative

Abstract

Seafood is one of the most important food consumed by more number of population, but the seafood preservation is a big challenge and hence quality control by an effective bio preservative plays a major role in today’s safety concept. The current research work focussed to check the bio preservative effect of aqueous ex- tract of Ficus benghalensis (aerial root) against the infected fish (Parupeneus indicus). Phenolic and flavonoid content of the aerial root extract was determined and also the functional group existence in the extract was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Zone of inhibition of the plant extract against Vibrio sp confirmed the effectiveness of Ficus benghalensis as a potential antibacterial agent. Microbiological analysis of the preserved infected fish with the aqueous extract of Ficus benghalensis at two different temperatures and at different time intervals showed the effective- ness of bio preservative activity.