In vivo Antiviral Activity of Polysaccharide from the Indian Green Alga, Acrosiphonia orientalis (J. Agardh): Potential Implication in Shrimp Disease Management

The polysaccharide extracted from the marine green algae, Acrosiphonia orientalis was evaluated for in vivo antiviral activity against the shrimp pathogen, White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). The algal polysaccharide was rationalized with commercial shrimp feed and orally administrated for a period of 14 days followed by the artificial viral challenge experiment. It was found that shrimp fed medicated diet (4g/kg) exhibited better survival rate (88%) over the control (0%). The immune defence factors such as total haemoycte count, differential haemocyte count and phenoloxidase activity was high for shrimp treated with algal polysaccharide. Therefore, it was concluded that the algal polysaccharide can be utilized as prophylactic drug for the management of WSSV.