The
in vitro anti-fungal activity of leaf and stem bark of
Daniella oliveri Rolfe was investigated against selected yeasts and moulds including dermatophytes. Water and methanol were used to extract the powdered leaf and stem bark using cold infusion. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by agar-well diffusion. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard procedures. The plant extracts were active against the test organisms at concentrations ranging from 3.125-100 mg/mL. The methanol extracts were more active than the aqueous extracts with the highest inhibition against the yeasts,
Candida albicans
and
Candida krusei
(MIC values of 3.125 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL respectively).
Epidermophyton floccosum
and
Trichophyton interdigitale
were the least inhibited of all the fungal strains. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids and saponins. The anti-fungal activity of
Daniella oliveri as shown in this study indicates that the plant has the potential of utilisation in the development of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of relevant fungal infections.
