EFFECT OF PALM OIL FROM UNCOOKED FRUITS OF ELAEIS GUINEENSIS AGAINST FUNGAL ISOLATED FROM HUMAN SCALP

ABSTRACT Antifungal study of oil from uncooked fruits of Elias guineensisagainst fungi isolated from human hair was investigated. Standard microbiological methods were adopted in the isolation of fungi from human hair. Decoction method was used to obtain the oil extract from the palm fruits. Agar well diffusion technique was adopted to determine the zones of inhibition of the oil extract against the fungi isolates. Fungal counts recorded from the human hair ranged from 1.4 x 104cfu/g to 4.0 x 104cfu/g. Fungal isolates from the human hair were; Candida species, Microsporumspecies, Trichophytonrubrum and Trichophytonmentagrophytes. Zones of inhibition recorded ranged from 10mm to 18mm with palm oil extract. Tube dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extract. The results recorded ranged from 250mg/ml to 500mg/ml with palm oil extract. Minimum fungicidal concentrations were recorded at 500mg/ml with palm oil extract on Candida species. The use of this oil in the production of hair cream and other products should be encouraged.