A Size-dependent Bioaccumulation of Metal Pollutants, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Telescopium telescopium, Nerita albicilla and Lunella coronata

[Display omitted] •The size-dependent bioaccumulation of three gastropod species by metals pollutants•Bactericidal/fungicidal activities depend on degree of metals bioaccumulation in gastropods•Gastropods surviving under pollution stress have great potential against bacterial/fungal pathogens•Antibiotics production from the extracts of gastropods can be induced through pollution stress•Understanding antibiotics production in gastropods can aid the development of new drugs We assessed metal/metalloid pollutants (through multi-indices) in seawater, sediments, tissues and shells of gastropods using various indices such as contamination degree (modified/unmodified; Cd/mCd; 1875/187.5). From sediment indices; e.g. the potential ecological risk index/enrichment factor (Eri/EF; 3396.8/105.5) indicated the area to be highly contaminated with metal/metalloid pollutants. Indeed, bioaccumulation with these materials was gastropod size dependent. Antimicrobial and percentage activity indices (AMI/PAI) for; T. telescopium was (AMI/PAI; 1.59/159), N. albicilla (1.14/114) and L. coronata (0.95/95) against E. coli. Similarly T. telescopium (1.33/133), N. albicilla (1.19/119) and L. coronata (1.14/114) have AMI/PAI against A. terreus. The total activity index (TAI), for T. telescopium was the highest, while L. coronata has lowest for all pathogens. This study indicates, T. telescopium, N. albicilla and L. coronata, surviving under metal/metalloid stress exhibited altered natural defense to pathogens which was related to the degree of toxin bioaccumulation.