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ABSTRACT
This research explored the antifungal potentiality of extracts from the Uvaria chamae plant to inhibit the growth of various fungi. Using aqueous and ethanol solvents, extracts were tested against a range of fungal pathogens, including Candida, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium, Fusarium. The leaves of Uvaria chamae were powdered and then extracted using both water and ethanol through a cold maceration process. The Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, MICs and MFCs were determined using the ditch-plate technique, agar well diffusion method and the broth dilution method respectively. Serial dilution methods were used for time-kill kinetics. Six concentrations of the aqueous and ethanol extracts were tested against the fungal isolates (600 mg/ml, 300 mg/ml, 150 mg/ml, 75 mg/ml, 37.5 mg/ml, 18.75 mg/ml). The results showed that the MIC of the aqueous and ethanol extract on Candida isolate was 125 ± 72.17 mg/ml each with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of diameter 11.17 ± 0.54 mm and 10.50 ± 0.17 mm for aqueous and ethanol respectively, on Aspergillus niger was 175 ± 101.04 mg/ml and 87.5 ± 50.52 mg/ml with a ZOI of diameter of 10.33 ± 0.19 mm and 10.83 ± 0.25 mm respectively. The MIC of the aqueous extracts of Uvaria chamae on Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium was 125 ± 25.00 mg/ml and 200 ± 50.00 mg/ml with a ZOI of diameter of 10.33 ± 0.51 mm and 10.17 ± 0.10 mm respectively; however, the ethanol extracts did not produce any zone of inhibition for both. The extracts of Uvaria chamae are not effective against fungi such as Fusarium. The MFCs of aqueous extract and ethanol extract of Uvaria chamae on Candida were 175.00 ± 101.04 mg/ml and 162.5 ± 93.82 mg/ml respectively, on Aspergillus niger were 200.0 ± 115.47 mg/ml and 162.5 ± 93.82 mg/ml respectively. The MFC of aqueous extracts of Uvaria chamae on Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium were 200.00 ± 50.00 mg/ml and 400.00 ± 100.00 mg/ml respectively. The time-kill kinetics study revealed a timedependent fungicidal effect of Uvaria chamae extracts against Candida. These findings suggest that Uvaria chamae extracts have the potential to be developed as effective antifungal agents against C. albicans. Further research is recommended to identify the specific compounds responsible for these activities.
