ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF SOME DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS ON FUNGAL ISOLATES OF CANDIDA albicans AND TRICHOPHYTON mentagrophyte

Abstract

The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that, antimicrobial properties of the leaf extracts were due to secondary metabolites such as amino acids, essential oils, flavonoids and saponins contained. The antimicrobial activities of alcoholic extracts were tested against pathogenic fungal isolates of Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophyte. This was performed by inoculating the isolates into the pure extract, spread onto petri plates containing Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media, observed for growth at stipulated standards. The sensitivity test was done by the disk diffusion method to test the effectiveness of an antimycotic (Griseofulvin) applied on the specific isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to ascertain the lowest drug concentrations that inhibited the fungal growths. The antimicrobial test revealed that, the leaf extracts of Eupatorium odoratum and Canjanus cajan inhibited the growths of the organisms while extracts of Citrus aurantifolia and Eucalyptus citriodora only prevented the growth of Candida albicans. The sensitivity test recorded the inhibition zone to range from 11 mm to 32 mm, with the lowest cleared area reported in the extract of E. citriodora and the highest in E, odoratum. Consequently, the MIC values of extracts at dilution levels were; E. odoratum: 1: 10000; 1: 1000, C. cajan: 1: 1000; 1: 10000, E. citriodora: 1:1000; 1:100 and C. aurantifolia: 1: 100000; 1: 100 respectively. This work has confirmed the progressive utilization of plants as antimicrobials for the benefit of mankind, to have originated from microbial sources.