Malaysian Journal of Biochemistry
& Molecular Biology
(E-ISSN: 2600-9005)
The Official Publication of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MSBMB)
Indexed by SCOPUS and Malaysian Citation Index (MYCITE)
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August 2026
Malay. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2026) 29 (2)
Page range 1-58
Regular Article
DOI:
Page 16-22
Fatmawati Lambuk, Narisa Alya Inas Mohammad Asraf, Nur Syafiqah Shafiee, Nurzafirah Mazlan,
Tze Young Thung, Siti Marwanis Anua and Rosida Abdullah
ASSESSMENT OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AND ENTEROCOCCUS BACTERIA FROM THE INTESTINE OF SEA CUCUMBER STICHOPUS HORRENS HARVESTED OFF PULAU PANGKOR, MALAYSIA
Abstract
The sea cucumber Stichopus horrens possesses various bioactive compounds that are high in nutritional and medicinal values, indicating great potential application in nutraceutical and medicinal products. However, they may harbour staphylococcus and enterococcus bacteria that cause adverse health effects. Thus, this study aims to screen the presence of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. in the intestines of S. horrens and evaluate their safety level. A total of 20 S. horrens samples were harvested from a fishing island off Peninsular Malaysia, and 60 bacteria isolates were obtained from the samples’ intestines. A total of 27 isolates tested positive in Gram’s staining, and the microbes had coccus and diplococcus shapes when observed under the microscope. Biochemical tests on the 27 isolates indicated that they were all acid fermenters, and 13 (48%) were indole positive. Safety evaluations found 15 (56%) to be γ-hemolysis isolates, and 17 isolates were resistant to streptomycin, whereas 16 and 20 were sensitive to tetracycline and ampicillin, respectively. Five strains (SH4ii, SH6iii, SH11ii, SH11iii, and SH15i) were selected from the 27 isolates for characterisation as they showed distinct macroscopic morphology. Meanwhile, 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the strains as Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Enterococcus thailandicus (GenBank accession number: MZ936364, MZ936384, MZ936367, MZ930401 and MZ930432). Overall results indicate a significant presence of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. in the intestines of S. horrens that may cause pathogenic effects. Hence, it is suggested that there is a need for thorough cleaning and proper cooking before consuming the sea cucumber.