Inhibition of Growth of Fungi Isolated From Deteriorating Melon Seed By Extracts of Punica Granatum and Cymbopogon Citratus

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of extracts of Punica granatum and Cymbopogon citratus on Aspergillus nivale, Rhizopus stolonifer , Mucor mucido and Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from deteriorating melon seed using radial growth technique. Phytochemical screening revealed that extracts the plants contained saponins, glycosides, alkaloids and tannins. Steroids were also detected in Punicagranatum. The plant extracts inhibited the growth of all the test fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged between 0.06μg/ml. and 0.07μg/ml while the minimum fungicidal concentration ranged between 0.06μg/ml and 0.08μg/ml. Aqueous extract of Punica granatum appears to be more effective as an antifungal agent than the extract of Cymbopogon citratus. Extracts of Punica granatum and Cymbopogon citratus may be important sources of preservative of melon seed.Key words: Investigate, deteriorating, phytochemical, fungicidal, concentration, preservative

Control of fungal growth in grapefruit and tomato juices by two nigerian spice (Thymus vulgaris and Xylopia aethiopica) extracts

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The Effect of Allium Sativum and Xylopia Aethiopica Extracts on the Growth of Fungi in Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) Juice

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effect of Allium sativum and Xylopia aethiopica on the growth of Mucor species, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger isolated from deteriorating sweet potato. While 3% (v/v) aqueous extract of Allium sativum and Xylopia aethiopica reduced the growth of the fungi; a combination of 2% each of both plant extracts retarded the growth better. Partial purification of aqueous extract of Allium sativum and Xylopia aethiopica showed that ethyl acetate fraction of the extracts exhibited the highest level of inhibition of growth of the test fungi compared with n-hexane and diethyl ether fractions. Extracts of Allium sativum and Xylopia aethiopica may be substitutes for conventional chemical preservatives in the processing of juices.Key words: Preservative, conducted, isolated, deteriorating, extract, substitute, conventiona