ANTIFUNGAL EFFECTS OF CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) PEELS ON ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Antifungal Effects of Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) on the
Growth of Aspergillus flavus and Survival. Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass) and Curcuma
longa (Turmeric) samples were collected and screened for phytochemicals using ethanol and
aqueous solvents using standard methods. Antibacterial activities of two extracts (ethanol and
aqueous) was performed using Agar well diffusion method against the selected test organisms at
different concentrations of 250mg/ml, 125mg/ml, 62.5mg/ml and 31.25mg/ml. Determination of
Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal (MBC) of the extracts
were also carried out. From the result of the study, it shows that alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids,
phenol, phytisteroids, terpeniods tannins were present in lemongrass ethanol extract while
glycosides and quinones were absent. Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phytisteroids, terpeniods,
Tannins and glycosides were present while phenol and quinones were absent in lemongrass
aqueous extract. Alkaloids, saponins, phenol, phytisteroids, terpeniods Tannins were present in
Turmeric ethanol extract while flavonoids were absent. Alkaloids, phenol, quinones, saponins,
flavonoids, phytisteroids, tannins and glycosides were present while terpenoids was absent in
lemongrass aqueous extract. The result of fungi isolated from the sample; three fungi species
were isolated from the samples namely; Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Mucor species.
A. flavus had the highest percentage prevalence of 20(68.97%), followed by A. niger 7(24.14%)
while Mucor species had the lowest percentage prevalence of 2(6.89%). there was zone of
inhibition on all concentration of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous extract. A. flavus. 250mg/ml had
the highest zone of 16.00±1.23 and 31.25mg/ml had the lowest zone of inhibition of 1.00±0.00
on Cymbopogon citratus ethanolic extract. 250mg/ml concentration had the highest zone of
inhibition of 29.33±0.58 on Aspergillus flavus and 31.25mg/ml had no zone of 00.00±0.00 on
Aspergillus flavus. The result of Curcuma longa extract, there was zone of inhibition on
concentration of Curcuma longa aqueous extract; 250mg/ml, 125mg/ml and 62.5mg/ml and no
observable zone of inhibition on concentration 31.25mg/ml on A. flavus. 250mg/ml had the
highest zone of inhibition of 20.00±1.23 on Aspergillus flavus while 31.25mg/ml had no zone of
00.00±0.00. There was zone of inhibition on concentration 250mg/ml, 125mg/ml and 62.5mg/ml
and no observable on concentration 31.25mg/ml on Aspergillus flavus. Curcuma longa ethanolic
extract; have zones of inhibitions at 250mg/ml, 125mg/ml and 62.5mg/ml and no observable
zone of inhibition on concentration 31.25mg/ml on A. flavus. 250mg/ml had the highest zone of
inhibition of 20.00±1.23 while 31.25mg/ml had no zone of 00.00±0.00 on Aspergillus flavus.
The extracts, particularly the aqueous extract had the highest effect and as such can be exploited
as a possible antimicrobial agent for the management of infectious pathogenic diseases.
Cymbopogon citratus and Curcuma longa can be further utilized in pharmaceutical industries for
the
manufacturing of drugs for treatment of various diseases and ailments.
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