Antimicrobial Activity of Muthuchippi Parpam

Pearls are hard, rounded secretion formed inside the shell of certain mollusks, used as a gem. It is secreted by the epithelial cells of the mantle, a curtain of tissue between the shell and body mass, and is deposited in successive layers around an irritating object - usually a parasite in the case of natural pearls - that gets caught in the soft tissue of the mollusk. The pearl is built up of layers of aragonite or calcite (crystalline forms of calcium carbonate) held together by conchiolin (a horny organic substance) ; its composition is identical to that of the mother of pearl, or nacre, that forms the interior layer of the mollusk shell. In Siddha system Metallic and Mineral drugs are used for medicinal preparation. Muthu is one among the Nine gems and its shell muthuchippi under the category of animal origin products. Zoologically it is equated as shell of Pinctada vulgaris. The aim of study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of muthuchippi parpam against different microorganisms. The diluted sample (80 %) was used to find the activity which was assessed by agar well diffusion method. The microbial inhibition was more effective. Among all species, Candida albicans was found to be highly susceptible while Acinetobater was highly resistant. Other bacterial species were also susceptible to this material. Muthuchippi parpam not only helps to overcome physiological activities of human, but can also protect the body by inhibiting the pathogenic organism of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. This indicates that Muthuchippi parpam contain antimicrobial compounds to control pathogens.