ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF MARINE-ALGAE FR OM OAXACA, TROPICAL PACIFICOF MEXICO

A total of 18 algal species were collected (31 samples) in eight local ities of Oaxaca state coast, Mexico. Ethanolic and acetonic extracts w ere obtained and tested against five pure strains of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The acetonic extracts of nine species were ac tive against Staphylococcus aureus, five species were also active agai nst Streptococcus pyogenes (both Gram positive). The highest activity was found in the acetonic extract of the Rhodophyta Jania tenella (Kut zing) Grunow, with inhibition zones of 22 mm against Staphylococcus au reus and 18 mm against Streptococcus pyogenes. The remainder active sp ecies showed a slight activity with inhibition zones from 12 to 14 mm. None of the ethanolic extracts were active. No sensibility of Escheri chia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes and Shygella sonnei was observed.