ANTIFUNGAL

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the major staple food crops in Africa, overtime the constraints caused by Plant ravaging pathogen such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and other abiotic factors has led to decline in the yield of cassava produced per annum. In this study the effect of incubation period on the antifungal activities of zinc oxide and magnesium chloride nanoparticles against pathogens isolated from diseases cassava plants (Manihot esculenta) were determined. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium chloride (Mgcl) nanoparticles were synthesized using Moringa oleifera leaf extract and characterization of the nanoparticles was done using UV-Vis spectrometer; the peak of the absorbance was recorded at 350nm. Zinc Oxide nanoparticles showed a high anti-fungal potency on the test organism at shorter incubation period (24-72 hours). From this study it was observed that as incubation period increases the anti-fungal properties decreases

The emergence of antifungal resistance necessitates the exploration of plant-based alternatives. This study investigated the antifungal activity of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extracts prepared by Soxhlet and maceration methods. Clove buds were authenticated, extracted using ethanol– water (1:1), and tested against 12 fungal isolates, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using agar well diffusion, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined by agar dilution. Ketoconazole served as the standard reference. Results showed concentration-dependent inhibition, with activity evident from 50 mg/ml. Candida albicans was the most sensitive organism, with inhibition zones up to 17.66 mm at 400 mg/ml, while Penicillium showed the least susceptibility. Maceration extracts consistently demonstrated higher efficacy than Soxhlet, yielding larger inhibition zones and lower MIC values (41.66 ± 12.12 µg/ml vs. 200.00 ± 145.5 µg/ml for Candida albicans). MFC assays confirmed fungicidal activity of maceration extracts at 50 µg/ml for Candida albicans, compared to higher concentrations required for other fungi. These findings indicate that Syzygium aromaticum possesses notable antifungal properties, particularly against Candida albicans, with maceration proving the more effective extraction method. The results provide scientific support for clove’s traditional use and suggest its potential as a natural antifungal agent.