Anti fungal activity of shallot, Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae), in vitro

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate anti fungal activities of the fresh extract of Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae) against clinically important yeast, dermatophytes and some saprophytic fungi in vitro. The anti fungal effects of fresh crude juice of shallot were determined against 11 isolates of Candida albicans, three species of dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, Trichophytonmentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum) and Syncephalastrum,Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Scopulariopsis sp.,Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Drechslera sp. by agar well diffusion method.Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fresh extract of A. ascalonicum was 0.25% for most tested fungi; however extract show remarkable activity against saprophytic fungi followed by Candida species and dermatophytes. It is concluded that fresh extract of A. ascalonicum has more anti-saprophytes effect at 0.25% with a mean diameter of inhibition zone 21.83 mm.      Key words: Candida albicans, saprophytic fungi, dermatophyte, Allium ascalonicum, anti fungal.