MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection and Preparation of extract In the present study the animals (L.duvaucelii and S.pharaonis) were collected from Gulf of Mannar, Thoothukudi coastal region (Long 780 8” to 790 30” E and Lat 80 35” to 90 25” N) by trawl catch, brought to the laboratory, cleaned and washed with fresh sea water to remove all impurities. The ink gland was dissected and ink was collected by gently squeezing the glands with spatula and the raw ink was diluted immediately with an equal volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH, 6.8) freeze dried and stored at -80oC. The crude ink of squid and cuttlefish showing broad spectrum activity were partially purified by ammonimum sulphate precipitation and dialysis.[6] Thus the protein fractions corresponding to different