Antifungal Effects of Methanolic Extract of Stem Bark of Bridelia ferruginea Benth. Leaves of Aloe vera L. and Stem Bark of Alstonia boonei De Wild

Abstract

The antifungal activities, proximate and phytochemical constituents of Aloe vera leaves extract, stem barks of both Alstonia boonei and Bridelia ferruginea were investigated. The methanolic crude extracts of these plants parts were tested for antifungal activity at different concentrations of 50.0, 100.0, 150.0, 200.0 mg/mL, respectively against against Aspergillus flavus, Absidia corymbifera and Aspergillus niger. Radial mycelial growth and dry mycelial weight methods were used to test for the extract activities against these fungi. The results of antifungal activity showed that all the plant extracts exhibited strong antifungal activities at higher concentration of 200.0 mg/mL. The phytochemical results showed that all the three medicinal plants contained steroid, flavonoid, phytate, phenol and oxalate which were known to exhibit antimicrobial properties as well as physiological activities. The proximate analyses showed that all the three medicinal plants contained appropriate amount of ashes, crude fibre and high carbohydrate content which provide energy when consumed. The results of this study showed that these plants possess some antifungal properties therefore the medicinal plants could serve as a potential source of active ingredients for the production of antifungal drugs.