PHYTOCHEMICAL, ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ERIGERON FLORIBUNDUS (BILBAO FLEABANE) LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST MALASSEZIA FURFUR

Abstract

Background: Elemental composition and phytochemical content of plants viz; saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, terpenoids and their concentrations are potentials for their antifungal or antimicrobial activity.

Aim: This study is aimed at evaluating the phytochemical, elemental composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil and dichloromethane extract of E. floribundus, against Malassezia furfur - the fungi that causes Pityriasis versicolor (eczema).

Method: Assays for the antifungal activity of were performed using the agar dilution method at serial concentrations ranging from 2 to 0.06 mg/ml. Phytochemicals were determined using the suitable Official Analytical (AOAC) methods.

Results: The essential oil of E. floribundus was the most potent, inhibiting the fungi at 0.25 mg/ml (IZD = 27 mm), while the dichloromethane extract inhibited the organism at 0.5 mg/ml (IZD = 25 mm), showing a better activity than the control antifungal, clotrimazole which showed an MIC of 1 mg/ml and an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 18 mm. Saponins showed the highest concentration of 900 mg per 5 g in the phytochemicals analyzed; with tannins showing the lowest of 56.6 mg per 5 g.  The concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, magnesium, sodium and Sulphur were 68.7 mg per 100 g, 49.4 mg per 100 g, 324.5 ppm, 78.50 ppm and nil respectively.

Conclusion: The essential oil and dichloromethane extract of E. floribundus revealed a good potential as an antifungal agent against M. furfur based on their minimum inhibition concentration, which is better than the conventional antifungal agent used as control in this study. Concentrations of phytochemicals in the plant also suggest that it has potentials for the traditional treatment of eczema/skin disorders.