Antibacterial Activity of Achatina fulica Shell Powder against Selected Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Wound Infections

Abstract

Wound infections remain a major public health concern due to the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, which reduce the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Achatina fulica shell powder against selected bacterial pathogens associated with wound infections. Shells of A. fulica were cleaned, dried, pulverized, and suspended in absolute ethanol to prepare a stock concentration of 200 mg/mL. The antibacterial activity of the shell powder was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli using the agar disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the broth tube dilution method. Achatina fulica shell powder exhibited antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and S. pyogenes, with mean inhibition zones of 8.00 ± 2.00 mm and 9.00 ± 1.00 mm, respectively. No antibacterial activity was observed against P. aeruginosa or E. coli. The MIC for both susceptible isolates was 200 mg/mL, while no MBC was detected within the concentration range tested. Achatina fulica shell powder possesses selective but modest antibacterial activity against Gram-positive wound pathogens and demonstrates bacteriostatic properties at relatively high concentrations. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate in-vivo antibacterial activity.