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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 10, No. 2
Publication Date: April 25, 2022
DOI:10.14738/aivp.102.11978. Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected
Medicicinal Plants on Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of
Selected Medicicinal Plants on Fungal Species
Joseph, O. V.
Department of Science Laboratory Technology
Heritage Polytechnic Ikot Udoata Eket, Nigeria
Agbagwa, O. E.
Department of Microbiology
University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323
East-West Road Choba Rivers State, Nigeria
Frank-Peterside, N.
Department of Microbiology
University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323
East-West Road Choba Rivers State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants are plants in which at least one of its parts possesses therapeutic
properties that are useful for the treatment of aliments. The study was carried out
to determine the antioxidant potential of Borreria verticillata, cassia alata, Carica
papaya, Diodia Sarmentosa, and Ocimum gratissimum on Rhizopus oryzae,
Aspergillus tamarii, Tricholoma matsutake, Kodamaea ohmeri, Aspergillus awamori
, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus awamori and Aspergillus
nomius. The five medicinal plants were collected from University of Uyo botanical
garden, while the nine fungal isolates were stock cultures from previous studies.
The leaves of the five plants were extracted by ethanolic and aqueous methods, and
subjected to phytochemical screening. The extracts were also subjected to
antifungal assay by the agar diffusion methods. Results obtained on the
phytochemical screening of leaf extracts indicated the presence of alkaloids,
tannins, saponins, terpenes, flavonoids, salwoski, Keller-killian, liberman,
gyanogenetic glycosides, phlobactanin, and free and combined anthraquinone in
varying quantities. The antifungal assay of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extract
for all the plants at five different concentration
(31.25mg/ml,62.5mg/ml,125mg/ml,250mg/ml and 500mg/ml), showed that that
Cassia alata(14mm ethanol,10.67mm aqueous) had the highest inhibition zone,
which was followed by Ocimum gratissimum (12.89mm ethanol,and 10.56
aqueous), Diodia sarmentosa (12.87mm ethanol and 8.22mm) and Borreria
verticillata (12.44mm ethanol and 7.78mm aqueous). The lowest inhibition was
observed in Carica papaya (11.78mm ethanol and 6.56mm aqueous) at
concentration 500mg/ml. Minimum inhibitory concentration obtained ranged
between 31.25-125mg/ml. Generally, ethanolic extract were more effective than
aqueous extract, although all the plant had inhibitory effect in both solvents. The
outcome of the work justifies the use of these plants in ethno-medicine.
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Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected Medicicinal Plants on
Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11978
Keywords: Antioxidant; Aqueous Ethanolic; Fungi; Bioactive; Phytochemical
INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants have been found to be effective in the treatment of diseases caused by fungi
and bacteria for more than three decades due to their antioxidant activity [1]. Antioxidant
constituents of the plants have the ability to act as a radical scavengers thus converting free
radicals to less reactive species. Studies have shown that most natural antioxidants associated
with plants are flavonoids, vitamins, phenols, carotenoids and dietary glutathione [2]
Medicinal plants are still recognized as the preferred primary healthcare system in many
communities, with over 60% of the world’s population and about 80% in developing countries
depending directly on medicinal plant for their medical purposes [3]. Modern medicine today
utilizes active compounds isolated from plants and about 80% of these active ingredients
indicate positive correlation between their modern therapeutic use and traditional use [4].The
effectiveness and antioxidant properties of these plants on fungi and diseases are due to the
presence of some phytochemical constituents and bioactive compounds which can be
determined in the extracts [5]. The search for use of drugs and dietary supplements obtained
from plants has increased in recent years. Scientists have explored plants for phytochemicals
present in them in order to develop into medicines for various disease treatments. Carica
papaya is an eminent medicinal plant that in use in most parts of the world to treat diseases
such as malaria, dengue, inflammation, and skin infections and to neutralize free radicals.
Others use the flowers of C. papaya as a fresh vegetable to supplement the diet of our society
and support higher levels for the growth of the individuals. Studies have shown that the flowers
of C. papaya to prevent cancer, increase digestion and appetite, and delineate heart problems
[6]. Diodia sarmentosa is mostly found in the tropics it is a used traditionally for the treatment
of ulcer, diabetes, eczema, and , injury oedema and other ailments in some parts of Nigeria. It is
been used because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [7, 8]. B. verticillata
occurs in agriculture areas, grass lands, rural and urban areas commonly found in tropical
Africa including Nigeria. The flower is used as antipyretic and analgesic [9, 10]. The roots of B.
verticillata act as anti diarrhoea and for treatment of erysipelas and haemorrhoids. In some
countries its used for diabetes, amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhea [11, 12]. B. verticillata is used
to treat bacteria skin infections and leprosy in Senegal [13]. The juice of fresh aerial part is used
in Nigeria for the treatment of skin eczema. [14]. A study on the phytochemical screening and
antimicrobial activity of plant extracts such as Carica papaya, Citrus paradise, Citruse sinensis
and Vernonia amygdalina revealed the presence of Alkaloid, Tannin,Phenol and Flavonoid [15]
Tannin, Plobatannin, Flavonoid, Saponnin and Anthraquinone were identified in Ocimum
gratissimum leaf extract following a phytochemical screening to determine its mineral
composition [16]. Flavonoid, Saponnin and Tannin were found to be present in Cassia alata
following a study on its screening and bioactivity [17]. Studies carried out on the on the
phytochemical screening of Borreria verticillata leaves revealed arthraquinone, saponins,
tannins, and flavonoid [18,]. Dioda sarmentosa swartz leaves have shown to contain alkaloid,
tannins, flavonoid and terpenoid [19]. These medicinal plants if used in the right mix and
concentration can inhibit the growth of some microbial activities. This study therefore aims at
determining the bioactive components present in five medicinal plants namely Cassia alata,
Diodia sarmentosa, Borreria verticillata , Carica papaya and Ocimum gratissimum on fungal
isolates and to ascertain their antioxidant potentials on nine fungal isolates namely: Rhizopus
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oryzae, Aspergillus tamarii, Tricholoma matsutake, Kodamaea ohmeri, Aspergillus awamori,
Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus nomius.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection and Preparation of the five Medicinal Plants
Leaves of Cassia alata, Diodia sarmentosa, Borreria verticillata, Carica papaya and Ocimum
gratissimum were collected in separate sterile polythene bags from the University of Uyo
Teaching Hospital Botanical Garden, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. The leaves were subject to
proper identification and authentication in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science
in the same University. The leaves samples were washed with distilled water chopped into
pieces and air-dried for two weeks after which they were grounded into powder with mortar
and pestle for extraction.
Five Medicinal Plants Sampled
Scientific Name: Cassia alata
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Common Name: Candle bush, Ringworm bush, Craw
craw plant
Local Names: Okorojo, AdayaOkon (Ibibio)
Part used: Leaves
Scientific Name: Ocimum gratissimum
Common Name: Scent leave
Local Names: Ntong (Ibibio)
Part used: Leaves
Scientific Name: Borreria verticillat
Common Name: buttom wood
Local Names:Abiaikara (Ibibio)
Part used: Leaves
Scientific Name: Carica Papaya
Family: Caricaceae
Common Name: Paw-paw
Local Names: Akpot (Ibibio)
Part used: Leaves
Scientific Name: Diodia sarmentosa
Family: Rubiaceae
Common Name: Turtle’s shell, Diodia
Local Names: EDEM Ikid (Ibibio)
Part used: Leaves
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Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected Medicicinal Plants on
Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11978
Fungal Isolates
Fungal isolates used in this study were identified in our previous study, they include Rhizopus
oryzae MN525245 (J1), Aspergillus tamari MN653149 (J2), Tricholoma matsutake MF038193
(J3), Kodamaea ohmeri LC 317627 (J4), Aspergillus awamori MG 827310 (J5), Aspergillus
fumigatus LC 171332 (J6), Aspergillus nomius AF 104447 (J7), Aspergillus awamori MG 827310
(J8) and Aspergillus nomius AF 104447 (J9)
Extraction of the Sample
Aqueous Extraction: A mixture of 20grams of each powdered leaf and 200ml of distilled water
was thoroughly prepared and kept for 3days (72 hours). After 3 days, the plant extracts were
filtered through a membrane filter (Whiteman No. 1 paper) into a sterile beaker and placed in
a water bath for sterilization in order to obtain the crude extract. The sterile extract obtained
was then transferred into a sterile capped MacCartney bottles and refrigerated at 4oC until
further use [20].
Ethanolic Extraction: A mixture of 20grams of each powdered leaf and 200ml of 70% ethanol
was thoroughly prepared and kept for 3days (72 hours). After 3 days, the plant extracts were
filtered through a membrane filter (Whiteman No. 1 paper) into a sterile beaker and placed in
a water bath for sterilization in order to obtain the crude extract. The sterile extract obtained
was then transferred into a sterile capped MacCartney bottles and refrigerated at 4oC until
further use [20].
Preparation of Extract Concentrations from Various Extracts: The concentrations of the
crude extracts obtained from the respective solvents were prepared using appropriate volume
of distilled water to obtain concentration of 31.25, 61.5, 125,250 and 500 mg/ml for each
extract.
Phytochemical Studies
Qualitative studies were carried out to identify the presence of some phytochemical
constituents in the plant extracts using standard methods [21]. The presence of Saponin was
identified using Frothing test and Bicarbonate test; Ferric chloride test and Bromine water test
were used to identify the presence of Tannin; Borhtrager’s test was used to identify both free
hydroxy Anthraquinone and Anthraquinone derivatives; Alkaloid was identified by treating a
1ml solution that contains 5ml 1% hydrochloric acid and 0.5grams of the plant extract with
Mayer’s reagent and Dragendoeff reagents respectively. A yellow precipitate was taken as an
indication of the presence of alkaloids [22]. Flavonoid was determined by using the Shinoda
reduction test. Other test carried out include Hydrochloric Acid Test to identify Phlobatannin,
Lieberma’s test to identify Terpenes, Salkowski test to identify Cardiac Glycosides and Keller- killani test to identify Deoxy sugar.
RESULTS
Phytochemistry and Assay of the Plant Leaves for Antimycotic Properties
Phytochemical analysis conducted on the five medicinal plants (Cassia alata, Ocimum
gratissimum, Carica papaya, Diodia sarmentosa and Borreria verticillata) showed that
flavonoids, tannins, Salkwoski and Liberman were extracted from all the five plants. Keller- Killian was extracted from C. alata, O. gratissimum, C. papaya, and Diodia sarmentosa. Alkaloids
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were only extracted from C. papaya and Diodia sarmentosa. Saponins were extracted from C.
alata, O. gratissimum and B. verticillata. Phlobacternin was extracted from O. gratissimum, C.
papaya and B. verticillata. Free Anthraquinone and combined Anthraquinone were only found
in C. alata and B. verticillata, whereas Terpenes and cyanogenetic glycosides were not extracted
from any of the five plants leaf. The result is presented in Table 1. The percentage occurrence
of alkaloids, tannins, sapnnons and flavonoids are presented in Figure 1.
Table 1: Phytochemistry and Assay of the Plant leaves for Antimycotic Properties
Figure 1. Percentage occurrence of alkaloids, tannins, sapnnons and flavonoids on plant extract
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Cassia alata Ocimum
gratissimum
Carica papaya Diodia
sarmentosa
Borreria
verticillata
Phytochemistry analysis (%)
Medicinal Plants
Alkaloids
Tanins
Sapnnons
Flavonids
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Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected Medicicinal Plants on
Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11978
Antioxidant Potential of Plant Extracts
The ability of the five aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of the plants to inhibit nine fungal
isolates was determined at different concentrations. Results obtaine dshowed that efficacy was
higher at high concentration. J1(Rhizopus oryzae) and J2 (Aspergillus tamarii) similart
inhibition on the average for both ethanolic extract (15mm) and aqeuous extracts(12mm). This
shows that Cassia alata extracts at a high concentration is suggestive for the treatment of
Rhizopus oryzae. For the second higher concentration (250mg/ml), Cassia alata showed the
highest inhibition for the ethanolic extracts (13mm) while Cassia alata, Ocimum gratissimum
and Diodia sarmentosa showed the highest inhibition (10mm) for the aqueous extracts. The
effect of Borreria verticillata, Cassia alata, Carica papaya, Occimum gratissimum, Diodia
sarmentosa and Ocimum gratissimum on J3(Tricholoma matsutake, J4 (Kodamaea ohmeri) and
J5(Aspergillus awamori) showed that Cassia alata ethanolic extract had reduced inhibition at
the highest concentration for J1 (12mm) while Borreria verticillata showed the highest
inhibition (9mm) for the aqueous extract at the same concentration (500mg/ml). At
concentrations 250mg/ml and 62.5mg/ml, Cassia alata had the highest antifungal activity for
the aqueous extract while Borreria verticillata showed the highest inhibition for the ethanolic
exract. No inhibition was observed however at the lowest concentration (31.25mg/ml). For
isolate J4(Kodamaea ohmeri), Cassia alata and Diodia sarmentosa showed the highest inhibition
zones(13mm) for the ethanolic plant extract at 500mg/ml while Cassia alata, Diodia
sarmentosa, Borreria verticillata and Ocimum gratissimum showed the highest inhibition(8mm)
at the same concentration(500mg/ml) for the aqueous extract. For concentrations 62.5mg/ml,
125mg/ml and 250mg/ml, Cassia alata showed the highest antigungal activity for the ethanolic
extract while Diodia sarmentosa also showed the highest inhibition zones for these
concentrations. Borreria verticillata however showed very low inhibition at 31.25mg/ml
(2mm). For the antifungal activity on Kodamaea ohmeri, Cassia alata ethanolic extract and
Diodia sarmentosa aqueous extract dominated on the average. For isolate J6, the highest
antifungal activities were observed for both Cassia alata and Ocimum gratissimum. At
500mg/ml, Ocimum gratissimum showed the highest inhibition zone (15mm) for the etholic
extract, while Cassia alata showed the highest inhibition (12mm) zone for the aqueous extract.
For concentrations 62.5mg/ml, 125mg/ml and 250mg/ml respectively, Cassia alata dominated
for the ethanolic extract in their antifungal activity while Ocimum gratissimum dominated in
their antifungal activity for the aqueous extract. Only Cassia alata showed inhibition zones at
31.25mg/ml for both plant extracts. Fungal isolates J5 and J8 being the same fungal strands,
were susceptible to both the ethanolic and aqueous plant extracts in the same manner. Cassia
alata showed the highest antifungal activity on Aspergillus awamori for concentrations
31.25mg/ml, 62.5mg/ml, 125mg/ml, 250mg/ml and 500mg/ml respectively. Similarly,
Ocimum gratissimum showed the inhibition zones for concentrations 62.5mg/ml, 125mg/ml,
250mg/ml and 500mg/ml respectively. Fungi J7 and J9 (Aspergillus nomius) were susceptible
to both the ethanolic and aqueous plant extracts in the similar manner. For all the
concentrations, Cassia alata showed the highest inhibition zones for both extracts on the
average. It showed the highest inhibition at various concentrations of ethanolic and aqueous
plant extracts. Detailed results of the antioxidant potential of the plant extracts are shown in
figures 2 -10.
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0
5
10
15
20
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J1E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J1A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J1A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J1E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J1A)
0
5
10
15
20
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J1E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J1A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J1E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J1A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J1E)
Figures 2a and 2b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J1 at various concentrations
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Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected Medicicinal Plants on
Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11978
0
5
10
15
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J2A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J2E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J2A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J2E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J2A)
0
5
10
15
20
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J2E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J2A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J2E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J2A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J2E)
0
5
10
15
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration(g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J3A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J3E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J3A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J3E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J3A)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J3E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J3A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J3E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J3A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J3E)
Figures 3a and 3b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J2 at various concentrations
Figures 4a and 4b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J3 at various concentrations
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31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J5E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J5A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J5E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J5A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J5E)
0
5
10
15
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J4A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J4E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J4A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J4E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J4A)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J4E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J4A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J4E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J4A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J4E)
0
5
10
15
20
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J6E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J6A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J6E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J6A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J6E)
Figures 5a and 5b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J4 at various concentrations
Figures 6a and 6b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J5 at various concentrations
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Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected Medicicinal Plants on
Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11978
0
5
10
15
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J6A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J6E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J6A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J6E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J6A)
0
5
10
15
20
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J7A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J7E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J7A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J7E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J7A)
0
5
10
15
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J8E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J8A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J8E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J8A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J8E)
0
5
10
15
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J8A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J8E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J8A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J8E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J8A)
Figures 7a and 7b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J6 at various concentrations
Figures 8a and 8b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J7 at various concentrations
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0
5
10
15
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (CP, J9E)
Inhibition zones (DS, J9A)
Inhibition zones (DS, J9E)
Inhibition zones (OG, J9A)
Inhibition zones (OG, J9E)
0
5
10
15
20
31.25 62.5 125 250 500
Inhibition Zones
Concentration (g/ml)
Inhibition zones (BV, J9A)
Inhibition zones (BV, J9E)
Inhibition zones (CA, J9A)
Inhibition zones (CA, J9E)
Inhibition zones (CP, J9A)
Figures 9a and 9b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts on
isolate J8 at various concentrations
Figures 10a and 10b: Antifungal potential of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts
on isolate J9 at various concentrations
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Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected Medicicinal Plants on
Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11978
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is the lowest concentration of the crude extract to
have an inhibitory effect on the isolates (J1-J9).Concentration of both plant extracts (ethanol
and aqueous) were varied between 31.25 – 250mg/ml as shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extract of Fungal Isolates
DISCUSSION
From the phytochemical analysis of the five medicinal plants (Borreria verticillata, Cassia alata,
Carica papaya, Occimum gratissimum, Diodia sarmentosa and Ocimum gratissimum), the result
obtained showed that the five plants extracts contained Flavonoids, Tannins, Salkwoski and
Liberman. Keller-Killian was extracted from C. alata, O. gratissimum, C. papaya, and
Diodiasarmentosa. Alkaloids were only extracted from C. papaya and Diodia sarmentosa.
Saponins were extracted from C. alata, O. gratissimum and B. verticillata. Phlobacternin was
extracted from O. gratissimum, C. papaya and B. verticillata. Free Anthraquinone and combined
Anthraquinone were only found in C. alata and B.verticillata, whereas Terpenes and
cyanogenetic glycosides were not extracted from any of the five plants leaf. The presence of
these bioactive compounds accounts for the antimicrobial actions of the extracts on the fungal
isolates. This is in conformity with that of [15] who reviewed alkaloid, tannin, flavonoid and
phenols in Carica papaya. This also is in agreement with the findings of other researchers that
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detected the presence of these bioactive components in varying proportion. In their studies
flavonoid, saponin and tannin were detected in Cassia alata, Ocimum gratissimum, Borreria
verticillata and Diodia sarmentosa. While anthraquinonein was not detected in some of the
plant extract. The yield of bioactive metabolites in plant extracts varies considerably with the
solvent of extraction. Stusies have shown that organic extracts are more active than aqueous
extracts based on better solubility of the active components in organic solvents [23 24]. The
variability observed in the bioactive components can also be attributed to location of different
plant types which can be affected by the soil and weather conditions and the section used for
the extraction [16, 17, 18, 25]. The five medicinal plants studied showed varying efficacy on the
fungal isolates which was observed to be dose-dependent. Findings showed that a synergy of
Cassia alata, Ocimum gratissimum and Diodia sarmentosa can be used to treat fungal infection
at a concentration of 250mg/ml. This suggests that Ocimum gratissimum can prove to be more
effective on the average for the treatment of Rhizopus oryzae at concentrations between
31.25mg/ml to 125mg/ml. From the results of the study obtained, ekthanolic extracts of the
five plants were generally more effective compared to the aqueous plant extracts for all
concentrations. This is supported in the previous studies documented by other researchers [26,
27] which showed that ethanolic leaf extracts possesses more antimicrobial activities than
aqueous extracts. This corresponds with other studies where it was stated that some medicinal
plants have more abundant and highly active compounds than others [28]. Minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) is the gold standard for determining the susceptibility of organisms to
antimicrobial agent, and therefore used to judge the performance of all other methods of
susceptibility testing [29, 30]. Generally MIC differed within the five medicinal plants on the
nine isolates. The present work has revealed has re-emphasized the need to explore plant, as
well as justifying its ethno-medicinal use.
CONCLUSIONS
The study concludes that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed remarkable antifungal
activity on the isolates wih C. alata activity being the most effective followed by O. gratissimum,
Diodia sarmentosa, C. papaya and B. verticillata. Ethanolic leaf extract had the highest zones of
inhibition compared to aqueous extract. Concentration 500mg/ml had the highest zones of
inhibition, although resistance was encountered at concentration 31.25mg/ml in some of the
isolate. The antifungal activity of the plants could be as a result of the presence of certain
bioactive compounds which are responsible for the antioxidant potential of these plants. The
bioactive components of these medicinal plants can be extracted and composed into to drugs
for effective therapy of fungal infections. A synergy of these plants is recommended so as to
produce higher efficacy in fungal treatment. Further studies should be carried out to establish
appropriate doses of the plant extract.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Paucity of recent studies using aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts for the treatment of fungal
infections was a challenge in the present study. The study was limited to five medical plants of
which more plants can be studied. Toxicity testing was not carried out in the present study.
Page 14 of 15
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Joseph, O. V., Agbagwa, O. E., Frank-Peterside, N. (2022). Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Selected Medicicinal Plants on
Fungal Species. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 84-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11978
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