Seven species of sponges collected from southeast coast India were tested for antibacterial and antifungal properties. The alcoholic extracts were obtained individually and their sub-fractions were prepared by counter current solvent extraction of the alcoholic extracts to test their bioactivity. Semi- pure fractions were obtained by silica gel column chromatography. The non-polar and medium polar fractions of three sponges viz. Cervicornia sp., Callyspongia fibrosa and Acanthella elongata were found to be active against the tested fish pathogens, Vibrio alginolyticus, V. fischerii, Micrococcus sp. and a fungal strain, Rhizoctonia solani, showing the potential of Gulf of Mannar - Palk Bay sponges to have bioactive properties.

Sponges, bioactive compounds, antibacterial compounds, marine natural products