ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF GOMPHRENA CELOSIOIDES (SOFT KHAKI WEED) ON SELECTED FUNGAL ISOLATES

Antifungal activities of extracts of Gomphrena celosiodes were investigated at different concentrations on Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum. Extracts from the plants were used to challenge the fungi and the rate of the growth of fungal spores and hyphae was monitored. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, terpenes and reducing sugars. However, the petroleum ether extract showed absence of saponins, reducing sugars, terpenes, alkaloids and tannins. The methanol extract of G. celosiodes had a fungicidal effect on the selected fungal isolates at a concentration of 2000μg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (fungistatic) ranged from 2000 μg/ml to 1500 μg/ml. The results of this present investigation indicate that the study of primary metabolites and antifungal activity of this plant could be considered as a natural herbal source for treatment of some fungal diseases.