Crab exoskeleton Chitin as Anti-diarrheal agent. Research Paper (Research Paper Sample)

Scylla serrata EXOSKELETON CHITIN AS A POTENTIAL ANTI-DIARRHEAL AGENT
AUTHORS: EVELYN E. ODA, PhD¹, KIMBERLY GAYLE M. AMBOY², JUNO LEANNE P. AURELIO², KAMILLE BEATRICE O. DE LA CRUZ², VALERIE GAY A. FAYLOGNA², KARLEEN JOY I. LO-OY², MIKKO S. MARIANO², ELLEREY LEMUEL B. PINEDA²
¹ Faculty Research Promoter, School of Natural Sciences, Saint Louis University, Baguio City
² Student Researcher, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Saint Louis University, Baguio City
ABSTRACT
Scylla serrata crab shells contain mainly chitin, a basic polysaccharide, a type of carbohydrate that has a basic structure of a repeating chain of sugar molecules. It has some folk medicinal uses (e.g.diarrheal control). Specific species of Scylla serrata crab shells were collected, washed, oven dried, and extracted to isolate chitin content. The processed powdered chitin extract were prepared using 0.25g/ml, 0.50g/ml and 0.75g/ml concentrates and were fed for anti-diarrheal activity using Mus musculus mice inoculated with Escherichia coli to induce diarrhea. The assay was compared based on the action of a standard anti-diarrheal drug, Loperamide. The experiment revealed that the chitin component of Scylla serrata at a concentration of 0.75g/ml showed best anti-diarrheal activity in mice.
KEYWORDS: Scylla serrata, Chitin, Anti-diarrheal activity, Loperamide, Mice model
INTRODUCTION