The antagonistic effect of Anabaena circinalis on some dermatophytes

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Anabaena circinalis, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium belonging to the Gram-negative group, is widely distributed in freshwater ecosystems across the world. The scientific focus on A. circinalis primarily stems from its ability to produce numerous cyanotoxins, which have the potential to be hazardous. The objective of this study was to assess the antifungal efficacy of A. circinalis against the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, with the aim of discovering a new antifungal agent. Methodology: The identification of Anabaena circinalis in this study was conducted through the observation of its morphological characteristics. Molecular identification and confirmation of the algae was done using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, employing a specific set of primers targeting the PCbetaand PCalpha genes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed in identifying A. circinalis antifungal compounds. The ability of 70% ethanolic and methanolic extracts produced from A. circinalis to inhibit the dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes was tested by in vitro tests. Results: The findings indicate that the hot ethanolic extract of Anabaena circinalis exhibited a significant inhibitory effect (100% inhibition) on the growth of dermatophyte fungi tested. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies identified several antifungal compounds in A. circinalis extracts, which included Hexadecen-1-ol, Phthalic acid, Octadecenoic acid, Octadecynoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, Pentadecadien, Tetradecenal, and Octadecadien-1-ol. Conclusion: Overall finding suggests hot ethanolic or methanolic extracts of Anabaena circinalis contain phyto components, which could be used as an antifungal agent in treating dermatophyte fungi-related infections.