Isolation, Characterisation and Biological Activity Test of Sea Cucumber Steroid Compound as Natural Aphrodisiac

Abstract

Sea cucumber (Holothurian) is one of fisheries commodities which has a high economic value. Generally sea cucumber is traded in the dried form (bechede- mer). Bioactive of sea cucumber, commonly known as holothurin, has drawn attention because of its wide spectrum of biological effects namely antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, haemolytic and anti-inflammation. One of holothurins, steroid compounds, as natural aphrodisiac have not been observed yet. Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to isolate steroid compounds of sea cucumber and their contents, (2) to characterise the compounds, (3) to know biological activity of the compounds as aphrodisiac, and (4) to do experiment of nanofiltration membrane for initial purification of steroid compounds. Steroid compounds of Holothuria scabra have been originally isolated from Holothurian of Lampung waters using acetone as a solvent. Six steroid fractions were found through thin layer chromatography (TLC) and two fractions have been identified as cholesterol and testosterone with Rf 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. Initial purification used ceramic membrane with MWCO 1000 dalton for filtration process. To better understand biological activity of the steroid, day old chicken (DOC) was used as a test organism. Parameters observed were N absorption, body weight and cap, testes, cholesterol and testosterone concentrations of blood serum. The results clearly demonstrated that sea cucumber Holothuria scabra could be used as a source of aphrodisiac.